The heart of the Wayne State campus will be pumping a little faster this fall with the opening Sept. 12 of a new $15 million Recreation and Fitness Center. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will include a demonstration of the center's climbing wall, is set for 2:30 p.m. that day. Tours of the 75,000-square-foot facility will follow. The center is just one among WSU's recent or planned additions to the economic vitality of the region and the state. Final touches are being placed on a new addition and renovations to the Law School (cost: $15.6 million) and work has begun on a new building for the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions (cost: $64.3 million). Future plans call for a research and technology park and a welcome center. President Irvin D. Reid proposed the Recreation and Fitness Center as a way to encourage physical fitness, to give students an additional incentive to spend more time on campus and to heighten a sense of community at the university. Students will not be charged for using the facility. Charter memberships are available at reduced rates to Wayne State current and retired faculty, staff and alumni. "I'm proud that we were able to bring this opportunity to our students in such a short amount of time," Reid said. "This administration is committed to taking action that will improve the quality of life here on campus. The Center provides a healthy way for our students to unwind, to develop healthier lifestyles and to create the close associations with other students that will last a lifetime. This facility is one of the cornerstones of our plan to enhance the campus experience for students and employees alike."
The building includes:
- A 10,000-square-foot fitness area with cardiovascular equipment and free weights;
- Leisure pool, water slide, water fitness area, bubble bench and lazy river;
- 30-foot indoor climbing wall with six changing pathways; (over)
- Full-size gymnasium with two basketball courts and an option for volleyball; and
- Three-lane suspended running/walking track.
Supervised fitness programs, a fitness evaluation service and activities such as kickboxing, Tai Chi, yoga, aqua-aerobics, and training for the climbing wall will be offered for a nominal fee. The center is managed by Stay Well Corp. of Minneapolis and staffed by WSU students. Numerous services will enhance enjoyment and convenience of the facility. These include a family locker room, weights and a number of exercise machines accessible to persons with physical disabilities; juice bar; towel service; and a fitness evaluation service. Such services fit right in with the customer-oriented goals of Charles Brown, Wayne State's recently arrived vice president for student development and campus life, who is pleased to have such a top-of-the-line center under his purview. "I believe that the fitness center is a critical piece of our efforts to build a stronger sense of community among our faculty, staff and students. It also provides an opportunity for our alumni to actively participate in the lives of our current students, who are our future leaders," he said. "Such a modern, easy-to-use facility encourages students to stay on campus and take part in all aspects of the Wayne State community."
