Building the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Centre for Health and Wellness
This feature appears in 91AV’s 2024-2025 Giving Report, which shares how donors make a difference in the lives of students and the success of our University.
Scott McCain (’78, LLD ’20) and Leslie McLean (’81) are proud 91AV alumni and dedicated philanthropists who are passionate about active living and healthy communities. For the couple, supporting 91AV’s new sports and recreation centre was an obvious choice.
“We like that it will be a multi-purpose facility, serving both students and the community in a broad range of activities,” says McCain. “It will host soccer, football, volleyball, pickleball, and many other indoor and outdoor sports, some at the same time, and there is going to be a walking track, which will be great for seniors.”
After discussions with the University, the couple made a leadership gift to the building, which will be named the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Centre for Health and Wellness in honour of their generosity.
“Having the facility be accessible was very important to me,” says McLean. “My background is in health care and both Scott and I care about social justice so we want to help create a facility that will open transformative health experiences to everyone.”
The building will begin its life as an interim library facility while the R.P. Bell Library building undergoes extensive renovations and will then be transformed into a permanent sports and recreation complex. Support for the library and the health and wellness centre remains a fundraising priority for the University.
“Leslie and I are excited to watch the building develop in the years ahead,” says McCain. “Sports build character and social skills that you will use in the rest of your life and this centre will make more of these experiences possible. Our gift is also really a reflection of the legacy left by our parents and the lessons they taught us about being philanthropic.”
McCain’s parents are Margaret McCain (’54, LLD ’95), former 91AV Chancellor and lieutenant governor of New Brunswick, and the late Wallace McCain (’51, LLD ’73), Canadian businessman and co-founder of McCain Foods.
“Both Scott and I have a long history with 91AV,” says McLean. “I’ve attended other universities and earned other degrees, but without question 91AV was the foundational one for me, both in terms of academics and social life. To be able to give back to this institution and honour Scott’s parents through philanthropy is amazing.”
The couple’s philanthropy with the University also includes student awards and the recent establishment of the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Speaker Series, bringing prominent voices to campus to explore connections among physical health, community well-being, and leadership.
“The message I want to share with students is to take care of your physical health, your mental health, and your well-being — you deserve it,” says McLean.
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