Illinois State Board of Trustees Approves Student Fitness/Kinesiology Recreation Center

The Illinois State University Board of Trustees today approved construction of the Student Fitness and Kinesiology Recreation Center at a cost of $43.9 million.

Located on the sites of McCormick Hall and Dunn, Barton and Walker residence halls, the 170,000 square-foot Student Fitness and Kinesiology Recreation Center will provide a facility with gymnasiums, racquetball courts, indoor track, weight rooms, exercise rooms, classrooms, pool, climbing wall, locker facilities, faculty and staff offices, classrooms and labs.

The student body has twice endorsed, authorized and encouraged a new recreation center and imposed a fee for the design, construction and operation of such a facility.

McCormick Hall will be partially demolished and the remaining portion renovated for inclusion in the new, larger complex.  Dunn, Barton and Walker halls will be demolished.  The new facility will consolidate programs housed in eight locations across campus and will provide a convenient and affordable activity option for university students, faculty and staff.

Plans for the facility include “green” design standards with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards and guidelines used in the design, construction and operation of the building.  The facility is expected to open in 2010.