Facilities and hours

Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA)

The Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) is the home of the University of Victoria Vikes. This world-class facility opened in May 2015 and boasts over 190,000 sq. ft. of floor space. CARSA includes a 2,100-seat performance gym, a multipurpose fieldhouse, a two-level fitness weight training facility, the CARSA Climbing Centre, dance space, dedicated TRX and spin classrooms, yoga studios, squash courts, a rowing ergometer centre, and a sports injury clinic. It is also home of CanAssist, which develops technologies, programs and services that help people with disabilities improve their quality of life.

CARSA Fitness Weight Centre

The CARSA Fitness Weight Centre is a two-level training facility with platforms, squat racks, free weights, machines and every cardio machine you could need including treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, spin bikes, Concept 2 rowers, bike and ski ergs, Assault Bikes, Rogue Echo bikes, recumbent bikes, Arc trainers and more. It also boasts dedicated TRX and spin classrooms, yoga studios, stretch space, squash courts, and a rowing ergometer centre.

CARSA Climbing Centre

The iconic climbing tower is the tallest of all Canadian universities and has over 500 holds between the 55-foot tower and 14-foot bouldering wall. The CARSA Climbing Centre (CCC) focuses on learning and practicing climbing skills in a safe and fun environment. There are two main types of climbing available: bouldering and route climbing. There are also a variety of instructional courses, team building programs, as well as birthday parties that are all options for the community and on-campus population to enjoy.

Ian Stewart Complex

The Ian Stewart Complex is home to UVic’s skating rink and the UVic men’s competitive hockey club. The Vikes hockey club participates in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League. The facility offers opportunities for drop-in hockey, skating as well as intramural hockey and is home to the Victoria Racquet Ball Club, community programs for minor hockey and figure skating.

Ian H. Stewart (1932-2017) was chair of the University of Victoria's (UVic) Board of Governors when the university acquired the sports complex in 1991. The facility was originally called the Gordon Head Sports Complex and was renamed in his honour in 2000.

Vikes Athletics and Recreation offices

Administrative offices for all staff working with the Vikes Athletics and Recreation department.

Centennial Stadium

The 5,000 seat Centennial Stadium is one of the city’s best facilities for hosting high-profile sporting events. The stadium hosted the 1994 Commonwealth Games and has since hosted other major events including the 2000 BC Summer Games, the 2000 and 2004 Canadian Track and Field Olympic Trials, the 2003 FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Cup Tournament and the annual International Track Classic.

When not in use for events and programs the stadium track is accessible to the public for single use running/walking. All group activity must be booked through Vikes Bookings 250-472-4652 or atrsbook@uvic.ca.

Fields

Field Hockey Turf

The field hockey turf is a water-based artificial playing surface of international standards. The current playing surface is regarded as one of the best of its kind in Canada. In May 2008, the turf hosted the World Hockey Olympic Qualifier tournament and later that summer hosted the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team pre-Olympic training camp. The field will be undergoing turf replacement in the summer of 2022.

Wallace Field

Home of the Vikes rugby programs, Wallace Field is a full-size grass rugby pitch with seating for 500. Named after former UVic President Robert Wallace, the field was reopened in the eighties and has hosted numerous national team try-out and training camps.

Artificial Turfs (Field 2A and 2B)

Vikes artificial turf fields are multi-sport, all-weather surfaces that have been home to field lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, ultimate and much more. Field 2A and 2B can each host a full-size soccer match, while a regulation FIBA soccer field can also span both fields.

Artificial Turf (Field 3)

Vikes artificial turf fields are multi-sport surfaces that have been home to various activities including field lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, ultimate and much more. Field 3 is often used as a secondary training ground for the varsity rugby programs as well as intramural sports such as ultimate and soccer. Field 3 is also lined for softball (see map).

CanAssist

CanAssist, located inside CARSA, is dedicated to helping people with disabilities improve their quality of life, with a focus on promoting independence and inclusion.

The CanAssist team develops innovative technologies and programs where there are gaps in existing services. We work with the exceptional students and faculty at UVic, along with partners in the wider community.