Loyalist College invites community to celebrate new gym at Lancers Basketball home opener

Belleville, ON, Oct. 15, 2026 – Loyalist College invites students, employees, alumni, media and community members to celebrate the official opening of its new gym on Friday, Oct. 23, with an evening of varsity basketball, giveaways and Lancers pride. 

The grand opening will coincide with the Lancers’ first home basketball games of the season, facing the Centennial Colts. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place before the Women’s Basketball game at 6 p.m., followed by the Men’s Basketball game at 8 p.m. 

“Athletics and recreation are an important part of the student experience at Loyalist, creating opportunities for students to practise teamwork, build confidence and develop the discipline and resilience that will serve them throughout their lives,” says Cristy Latham, Director of Athletics and Recreation. “Our new gym gives us more room to support wellness programming, celebrate our student-athletes and bring people together through sport. We can’t wait to welcome the community into the stands to cheer on the Lancers and share in that sense of pride.” 

With an expanded footprint, two courts, abundant natural light and increased spectator seating, the new gym offers enhanced facilities for varsity athletics, campus recreation and events. The gym will also be available for athletic rentals, providing local sports organizations and community groups with additional space for recreational and competitive activities. 

The new facility is part of Loyalist’s Entrance and Athletic Facilities (LEAF) initiative, which also included upgrades to the college’s main entrance, new student spaces for studying and socializing, as well as inclusive washrooms. 

“From welcoming students at Orientation and cheering on the Lancers to celebrating our graduates at Convocation, our new gym is a place for our community to come together,” says Mark Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of Loyalist College. “Through LEAF, we’ve invested in more welcoming, accessible spaces that support student life and well-being, while providing increased opportunities for people from across our region to experience Loyalist. We’re proud to see this vision come to life and look forward to welcoming the community to enjoy these new facilities.” 

The Oct. 23 celebration is sponsored in part by Loyalist alumni and will include a special giveaway for the first 200 guests and door prizes throughout the evening. 

Event Details:

Date and Time:
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 

• 5 p.m. – Doors open 
• Ribbon-cutting ceremony – Before the Women’s Basketball game 
• 6 p.m. – Loyalist Lancers vs. Centennial Colts (Women’s Basketball) 
• 8 p.m. – Loyalist Lancers vs. Centennial Colts (Men’s Basketball) 

Location:
Gym 1 
Loyalist College, Belleville Campus,  
376 Wallbridge Loyalist Rd.,  
Belleville, ON, 
K8N 5B9 

About Loyalist College  

Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope and Tyendinaga, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.  

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Contact:   
Hannah Brown               
Director of Marketing and Communications             
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com