Ground was broken today for a dramatically modernized Recreation
Center on Gannon University's campus.
The first phase of the $14.5 million project is already underway
and will transform the block bounded by Peach and Sassafras streets between W. Third and W. Fourth streets, and
will include:
- a 14,000-square-foot addition with a glass front facing West
Fourth Street
- a complete interior renovation that includes new locker rooms,
new varsity weight room and areas for wrestling and a new acrobatics and tumbling program
- a new Human Performance Center that will house a motion
analysis lab and a human performance and testing lab and serve as a space for collaboration between faculty and
students in the physical therapy, sport and exercise science, human performance, occupational therapy, biomedical
engineering and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs
- a new 51,300-square-foot indoor field house to the west of the
Rec Center on the West Third Street side that will feature an 80-yard indoor field house, which will allow for
year-round practice and increased intramural and club sports programs. The space can be subdivided into three separate
areas so that multiple activities can take place at once
"The buildings themselves, impressive though they will be, are
less important than what will happen in them," said Gannon University President Keith Taylor, Ph.D. "People will look to
the Rec Center as a place to get healthier and stronger. That's true for the university, too, as our academics will be enhanced
by the Human Performance Center, student wellness and engagement will be strengthened by the enhanced opportunities
for intramural and club sports and athletics will be strengthened by the addition of facilities that will support new
athletic programs and allow for year-round practice."
Earlier this summer, university housing units, the former Crispo
Apartments, were demolished to make room for the modernization project.
Despite the scope of the project, the current construction is
only the first phase of a comprehensive modernization of the Rec Center. Future phases of the project call for changes to the
pool and to other existing spaces.