UBC Sports Centre named in honour of BLG Awards founder Doug Mitchell

VANCOUVER - The University of British Columbia Friday announced the naming of the Thunderbird Sports Centre in honour of hockey builder Doug Mitchell.

Mitchell's family, friends and colleagues have pledged $10 million to UBC for the winter sports complex in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Canadian amateur sport. The centre, now known as the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, is a host hockey and sledge hockey venue for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Mitchell, a UBC Law alumnus ('62), has spent his legal career with Borden Ladner Gervais, one of Canada's largest national law firms, where he currently serves as National Co-Chair. Although Mitchell has served in countless leadership roles in both amateur and professional sport, he is most passionate about university sport.

"I am honoured to have my name on this great UBC facility that will serve so many," says Mitchell. "University athletics are vital in building the leadership that is so essential to our economy and society. Playing sports taught me that none of us can thrive alone - we need a team. It also taught me that it's not about the falling down, it's the getting up that counts!"

This financial pledge, among the largest-ever to a Canadian varsity athletics facility, will support UBC's share of the costs in building the new winter sports complex and help to provide one of the best university winter sports facilities in the country for UBC students, athletes and the greater community.

The complex, opened in September 2008, contains a refurbished Father Bauer Arena, a new practice ice rink and a new 7,500-seat arena that will host the women's and men's ice hockey and men's sledge hockey during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

In addition to the $10-million commitment from the Mitchell family and their friends and colleagues from across North America, the $47.8-million facility has been supported by $36.8 million from Vanoc and $1 million from Rona.

"UBC is very grateful for the long-time support of Lois and Doug Mitchell," says UBC President Stephen Toope. "We welcome this opportunity to recognize Doug for his significant contributions both to UBC and to amateur and professional sport in Canada."

About 40,000 people use the centre, home to UBC Thunderbirds Hockey and a variety of intramural, recreational and community programs, every month. More than 230 hours per week are devoted to community use, including hockey leagues, youth instructional programs, high school rentals, community rentals and drop-in programs. The centre is accessible for mobility-challenged participants and spectators.

Mitchell and his wife Lois, who live in Calgary, are active supporters of UBC. In 2006, Lois Mitchell established the Hayley Wickenheiser Thunderbird Ice Hockey Endowment to support the UBC Women's Ice Hockey team. In 2007, Doug Mitchell established the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Scholarship Endowment to support athletes at UBC. The current gift is comparable to those made to varsity athletic facilities at McMaster University and the University of Toronto.

-UBC-

Source: UBC Athletics