McGill University has launched an Athletics and Recreation Strategic Planning Task Force to chart the future of sport and wellness on campus and develop a five-year plan to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of Athletics and Recreation (A&R).
In the coming months, the Task Force is to conduct exploratory work and then deliver a plan to guide programming, facilities, financial sustainability, communications and alignment with McGill’s academic mission.
Co-chaired by Chancellor Pierre Boivin, Provost and Executive Vice-President Academic Angela Campbell and Interim Deputy Provost Student Life and Learning Anthony Mittermaier, the Task Force brings together students, staff, faculty and alumni from across the University. An External Advisory Board made up of former McGill coaches and alumni with strong ties to sport, athletics and wellness has also been convened to provide additional guidance and insight.
“I am honored and enthusiastic to work alongside Angela, Anthony and the members of the Task Force to develop a student-centred future roadmap for A&R at McGill,” said Chancellor Boivin.
A forward-looking and transparent mandate
The Task Force builds on a 2024 internal audit and a 2025 third-party review. Its mandate is exploratory and future-focused, not centred on revisiting past decisions said Campbell. It will examine A&R holistically and identify long-term opportunities grounded in current social, fiscal and enrolment realities, she indicated.
“As a university, we have a responsibility to ensure Athletics and Recreation remain strong, inclusive and sustainable,” said Campbell. “This initiative is about looking ahead with clarity and transparency. By engaging our community openly and grounding our recommendations in evidence, we will create a sustainable, student-centred plan that strengthens well-being, deepens engagement and fosters a genuine sense of belonging across our varsity, club, intramural and recreational communities.”
The Task Force is being asked to recommend clear and measurable objectives. Areas under consideration include programming models, infrastructure needs, fee structures, financial resilience, communications and branding, and deeper integration with McGill’s core mission of excellence in teaching, research and student life.
McGill’s commitments to accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability will help shape every aspect of the final plan, Campbell said.
Students at the centre of the plan
Mittermaier indicated the aim is to develop a practical, student-centred plan that supports lifelong participation in an active lifestyle and ensures every student feels welcome, supported and inspired to take part.
“Athletics and Recreation’s programming, from varsity competition to intramural sport and recreational fitness, is widely recognized as essential to the McGill student experience,” Mittermaier said. “A&R programs support physical and mental well-being, leadership development and community connection, contributing directly to academic success.
They serve high-performing student-athletes and students who seek balance, grounding and belonging through sport and wellness activities.
“However, we cannot take the vitality of Athletics and Recreation for granted,” said Mittermaier. “If we want A&R to thrive for future generations, we must be proactive and transparent about our realities, and we must innovate.”
Throughout the spring, the Task Force is expected to engage the McGill community in various ways to gather feedback. Students and alumni are to play a central role in shaping the recommendations, alongside faculty and staff. The External Advisory Board is to provide additional perspective to ensure the plan reflects best practices and remains forward-looking.
“The outcome will be more than a vision statement,” Campbell said. “At its conclusion, the Task Force will present a concrete and actionable five-year strategy designed to strengthen varsity sports and recreational programming alike, enhance wellness, deepen engagement and belonging across campus while ensuring Athletics and Recreation remain sustainable for years to come.
“With this launch, McGill signals a renewed commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive and resilient Athletics and Recreation ecosystem – one that supports student success today and fosters lifelong participation in sport and community well beyond graduation,” she said.