Brock University’s St. Catharines campus and the area around will soon be engrossed with the excitement and activity of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, acting as the hub for the long-anticipated event.

More than 5,000 athletes and coaches will converge on the Niagara region to compete in 20 sports from Aug. 6-21.

Access to campus will be impacted during the lead-up to the Games, for two weeks when competition is active and the week following the closing ceremonies.

For employees working in departments not directly involved in the Games, working from home when possible is encouraged as parking and traffic flow are projected to be impeded by the influx of people from the Athletes’ Village, four sporting events taking place on-site, and other Canada Games-related activities.

“The University is enthusiastic to welcome some of the top athletes in Canada to our beautiful campus and we look forward to the liveliness of this extraordinary event,” said Lynn Wells, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Brock University. “The Brock community is planning for adjustments to our department and faculty work settings during the duration of the Games.”

Parking lots in Zones 1, 2 and 3 will be busy as they serve as free parking for spectators and volunteers throughout the duration of the Games. P Lot, located next to Alumni Field, is completely closed from Aug. 5-22.

Brock’s residences and facilities will be home to the Athletes’ Village and four sports: swimming, cycling, women’s rugby sevens and diving. Elsewhere on campus, Canada Games Park will feature athletics, wrestling, volleyball, beach volleyball and box lacrosse.

The first group of athletes is scheduled to arrive on Friday, Aug. 5 before the second set arrives on Sunday, Aug. 14.

The following key buildings and areas on campus will be affected: Walker Sports Complex, Welch Hall, Goodman School of Business, Rankin Family Pavilion, Pond Inlet, Jubilee Court and all residences.

Road closures will be in effect and traffic flow impacted when the cycling criterium events take place on campus including training on Friday, Aug. 19 and race day on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Entry to the Walker Sports Complex will be allowed throughout the Games. The Zone Fitness Centre and track will be available to students and members.

Brock’s pool, the Eleanor Misener Aquatic Centre, will not be accessible to users during the Games’ swimming and diving competition and training events.

Alumni Field and grass fields will be used for women’s rugby sevens, including training while Brock gymnasia will serve as training facilities for the basketball and volleyball teams competing in the Games.

In downtown St. Catharines, Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts may be affected by the opening ceremonies being held next door at the Meridian Centre on Saturday, Aug. 6.

More information on the impacts of the Games will be released as they become available.