CANTON, NY (09/28/2011)(readMedia)-- SUNY Canton invites community members to celebrate the grand opening of the new Roos House Athletic Center this upcoming weekend with food, fun and a one-time fitness center membership discount.

The event kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon on Saturday, Oct. 1. The event is free and open to the public. Parking will be available in Lot 3, and a shuttle service will be escorting visitors to the facility.

"There is an energy that can be felt throughout our campus community that I believe stems from having these new facilities open," said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy. "Our athletic center, our new residence hall, our new eateries and our other renovations in recent years have transformed this campus and made it an even more welcoming place for students, employees and members of the community."

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception, attendees are invited to take part in a variety of activities throughout the afternoon, including guided tours of the facility. The Roos have four teams playing at home on Saturday, including volleyball and women's soccer at 1 p.m., men's ice hockey at 2 p.m., men's soccer at 3 p.m., and women's volleyball again at 6 p.m. Each game will feature t-shirt and prize giveaways. In addition to the games and prizes, guests can enjoy face-painting, food at Joey's, the new eatery in the athletic center, and a visit with Roody the Roo.

The College is offering a 15 percent discount on one-year single and family memberships to those who attend Saturday's festivities. The membership must be purchased between the hours of noon and 6 p.m. on Saturday only. The offer is not available to SUNY Canton faculty and staff members.

The $45-million athletic center features a fitness center with brand-new equipment, a lap pool, a field house that includes basketball, volleyball and tennis courts as well as a track, an ice arena, locker room facilities, athletic department office space and a new eatery.

"We have enjoyed the many immediate benefits of having such an outstanding facility on our campus," said Randy B. Sieminski, assistant vice president for advancement and athletic director. "Our athletic teams have been highly successful at a critical time in the College's history as we move towards becoming a member of the NCAA at the Division III level. But the excitement extends far beyond our student-athletes and coaches as we see more students, faculty, staff and members of the community enjoying the facility every day."

Northland Associates of Liverpool was the general contractor for the LEED Silver Certified building. Many area subcontractors were hired to help complete the project. Northland was also the general contractor for the College's brand-new residence hall, which also opened this fall.

The ribbon cutting ceremony is the latest in a string of grand opening celebrations across SUNY Canton. The College recently celebrated a Taco Bell and KFC Express located next to the existing Jreck's Subs in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center and the grand opening for the Grasse River Suites residence hall was held last week.

SUNY Canton offers 21 career-driven bachelor's degrees in addition to its associate and certificate programs. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 150 courses online each semester. The College's athletic teams belong to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. The College is home to a brand-new athletic facility, nicknamed Roos House, and the Grasse River Suites, offering students single rooms in apartment-style settings while they live on campus.

-www.canton.edu-

Posted Wednesday September 28, 2011 at 11:07 am by SUNY Canton
Last Updated Thursday September 29, 2011 at 09:10 am