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DEVO STRIKES BACK

By Emily Bellavy

A Ryerson winter tradition was reawakened last week when Lake Devo welcomed skaters for the first time in three years.

The fences surrounding the perimeter of Lake Devo that were put in place during the construction of the new Continuing Education building were removed last week. “Certainly Lake Devo was awaiting the completion of the Heaslip House,” said Bruce Piercey of university advancement.

“Lake Devo is a landmark at Ryerson and we’ve missed it while it was gone.” Students embraced the second inauguration of Devo, formally known as Devonian Square. Some laced up their hockey skates and attempted figure eights.

Keith MacDonald, a third-year computer science student, convinced his girlfriend to join him for an evening skate. “This is so neat, I’ve been waiting to go skating,” MacDonald said. A change hut constructed around a Muskoka granite boulder is located on the southeast corner of Devo.

But one student is concerned that the change rooms will house illegal activity. “I worry about these change rooms because people are going to go there to smoke weed,” said Justin, an engineering student who declined to give his last name. “I mean, just look,” he said, pointing to a group of students smoking in front of the hut. Lake Devo is owned and maintained by the City of Toronto. City Coun. Kyle Rae, who represents Ryerson in his ward, said he doesn’t share those concerns.

“They’re students; that’s what students do,” he said. Heaslip House, which “overhangs” onto Lake Devo, reminds him of a European city, he added. Linda Grayson, vice president administration and student services, said there are security patrols and surveillance cameras in the area

“In the event that there are issues there is a strategy and a place for dealing with it,” she said. The university plans to have an official opening of Lake Devo this month.

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