Why I Give

Over the last 50 years, Dr. William (Bill) Stanish (MD’70) has built an impressive career in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery at Dalhousie.

But while he usually treats elite athletes, Dr. Stanish has also been a passionate advocate of sport and recreation for everyone—and this dedication to promoting active living motivates him as a proud alumnus to give back to Dal as champion of the Dalhousie Event Centre.

“Exercise is the best remedy for uplifting spirits and the perfect way to tackle the ravages of aging," says Dr. Stanish, noting community involvement and deep friendships also promote health and well-being.

He says his best friends today are the same people he played sports with in the 1960s at Dal: “We’re old codgers now but we still work out together almost every day and have that same mutual respect and friendship that develops from competing together.”

When the Dalhousie Memorial Arena was torn down a decade ago, varsity teams and the Dalhousie and neighbouring communities lost a beloved venue for intramurals, public skating and Dal Tiger hockey camps. Recognizing the opportunity to make sports and recreation once again more accessible, and recalling his own glory days as team captain of both the varsity hockey and football teams, Dr. Stanish is thrilled the university is building the new Event Centre.

“I’ve always been committed to promoting athletic programs in all spheres at Dal—my love of the school and recognition of the value of sport and exercise has never vacillated,” says Dr. Stanish, who will help raise roughly $3 million for the project.

Construction has begun on the site of the old arena and is expected to be completed in fall 2023. The Dalhousie Event
Centre will feature an NHL-sized ice sheet with an alternate floor surface for Dal and community events, as well as a state-of-the-art facility for the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic. Varsity, club and intramural teams will return to the Studley campus, buoying campus spirit and offering more activity options.

Dr. Stanish looks forward to seeing the new centre’s impact on the health and happiness of university and local communities. And as a long-time supporter of Special Olympics and other sport organizations, Dr. Stanish will also work to expand access for people with intellectual and physical challenges, and for other underserved communities.

“I see it as a central hub on campus, whether it’s watching the Tigers, gathering for festivals and special events, or rekindling alumni hockey leagues—the appeal for our community can’t be overemphasized. This will truly be a community centre.”

This story appeared in the DAL Magazine Spring 2022 issue. Flip through the rest of the Spring 2022 issue using the links below.