On Tuesday (Oct. 14), Dalhousie friends, student athletes and community members came together to celebrate the unveiling of The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Community Wellness Level of the Oulton-Stanish Centre.
Generously supported by a $2-million gift from Scott McCain and Leslie McLean (MN鈥�02), the wellness level will be the new home of the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic, as well as a variety of spaces for the community to gather.
Scott McCain, left, and Leslie McLean.
鈥淟eslie and I are proud to support the Oulton-Stanish Centre and the overarching mission of bringing people together through sport, wellness and recreation,鈥� said McCain.听
As longtime supporters of Dalhousie, this opportunity to support the Oulton-Stanish Centre aligned with McLean and McCain鈥檚 ongoing commitments to improving health outcomes and investing in community wellbeing. In addition to their philanthropic work, McLean served as an adjunct professor in Dal鈥檚 School of Nursing, and McCain currently serves on the Dalhousie Advisory Council (DAC).
鈥淢y family鈥檚 roots run deep at Dalhousie,鈥� said McLean, explaining that she grew up blocks away from Dal where her father, Dr. James McLean, served as dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. 鈥淚t is a pleasure to know that our families鈥� names will be connected to the centre and to an inclusive space that will facilitate wellness and compassionate care for the broader Dal and Halifax community.鈥�
Expanding services
This emphasis on serving the community is particularly reflected in the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic which offers rehabilitation services to 15,000 patients annually. Additionally, it provides important teaching and learning opportunities for Dal鈥檚 Faculty of Health students including physiotherapy and kinesiology students.
The expansion from the clinic鈥檚 current location in the Dalplex to the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Community Wellness Level of the Oulton-Stanish Centre will ensure that more private and semi-private treatment rooms are available to provide personalized care to more members of the community.
(L-R): Scott McCain, Robbie Forbes, Grace Beer and Leslie McLean.
When Jenn Bethune (MSc鈥�14), a Halifax-based audiologist and client of the clinic, was involved in a motor vehicle accident in 2018 while four months pregnant, she wanted to find a clinic that would be equipped to work with her complex situation. Bethune was confident Dal鈥檚 clinic could assist in her recovery given it was located at a university.听
鈥淭he clinic is very clearly a teaching centre. I鈥檝e had students help take care of me and the current staff are committed to advancing their skills. You can tell that everyone really cares about their work and providing the best care possible.鈥�
You can tell that everyone really cares about their work and providing the best care possible.
Bethune said that her decision to go to the clinic has improved all aspects of her life.听
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I would be as physically capable as I am today without the Dal physio team,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 can better perform my duties at work, as a parent and as a participant in the world.鈥澨�
Attendees at the announcement celebrating Leslie McLean and Scott McCain鈥檚 gift to the Oulton-Stanish Centre.
This sentiment is echoed by Rhonda Reardon, clinic manager of the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic.听
鈥淭he clinic is here to support people throughout their lifespan, whether they want to walk the Camino de Santiago at 70-years old, go rock climbing with their friends or be able to compete competitively in their varsity or club sport,鈥� she said.听
A community hub
The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Community Wellness Level will be located on the second floor of the Oulton-Stanish Centre, a 60,000-square-foot facility featuring an NHL-sized ice surface and a variety of community spaces and event rooms. Located on the site of the previous Memorial Arena, the centre has been made possible in part thanks to generous gifts from Ian Oulton (BA鈥�66) and his wife, Dr. Margaret Oulton (PhD鈥�75), and from Dr. Bill Stanish (MD鈥�70).
(L-R) Tim Maloney, Scott McCain, Bill Stanish, Leslie McLean, Ian Oulton.
Dr. Kim Brooks, president and vice-chancellor of Dalhousie, said McCain and McLean鈥檚 commitment plays an important role in the advancement of teaching and learning as well as building a strong relationship with the local community.
鈥淭he Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Community Wellness Level will be hub for physical activity and entertainment on campus, but its scope extends far beyond sport. It will be a space where lives are improved and relationships are built,鈥� said Brooks. 鈥淲ith Leslie and Scott鈥檚 generous support, we are one step closer to building a stronger and healthier community 鈥� and we鈥檙e deeply grateful for their partnership.鈥澨�