WHEELS IN MOTION
Logan, UT – Utah State University Students voted in favor of a new recreation and wellness center in spring of 2012. Nearly 2 years later, and with thousands of hours put into this new building, the groundbreaking for the new USU Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC) will be happening. On Wednesday March 5, 2014 at 11:30am a celebration of new era at Utah State University will happen; an era with an emphasis on student recreation and wellness. This building has been a work in progress for nearly a decade, predating the student vote, and the push towards the groundbreaking ceremony has created excitement and buzz.
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Distinguished guests and students will be celebrating this building together on the south side of the HPER field, across from the Nelson Fieldhouse. The twenty minute program will highlight the project in its entirety and will feature Dr. James Morales (Vice President of Student Services), Kevin Kobe (Director of Campus Recreation), Douglas Fiefia (ASUSU Student Body President), and President Stan Albrecht (Utah State University).
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In addition to the groundbreaking ceremony, campus recreation will be hosting a showcase in the Nelson Fieldhouse from 11:50am until 2:00pm. Kevin Kobe, Campus Recreation Director, and his team are excited to celebrate both the new building and the recreation and wellness opportunities on Utah State University’s campus. Focus will be on students and showcasing what Utah State has for its students. Throughout the entire process, students have been the main focus for the entire SR&WC Working Committee; the committee even has a handful of student representatives on it.
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“Students have played one of the most important roles” Dr. Morales explains while talking about the planning process. “We invited student leaders and students-at-large to participate in every important discussion, because we recognize that they are the biggest stakeholders of this new building.” Student representatives are currently sitting on the SRWC Working Committee alongside administration, faculty and staff, and the various architects and planning team. One student representative, Brian Isom, said that “it’s been an amazing experience to be a part of the planning... I have been impressed by how important administration and the architects hold our opinions. Every step they have looked to us for input and comments. They want to make sure that we are getting what we are paying for.”
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Students will have full access to the building starting Fall 2015, which is the anticipated completion date. Two architecture firms have been working cohesively to assure the best possible building for the Utah State campus. James Braam, with 360 Architecture Firm, expressed that “if there is any building on Utah State’s campus that should be a model for sustainable design, it should be the recreation and wellness center.” There is no question that this building has been much anticipated. The ribbon cutting and showcase will be a great celebratory kick off to a more concrete showing of the progress of the new USU Student Recreation & Wellness Center.
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