The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City is planning a grand opening in September for an expanded student wellness and recreation center on campus.
The Stephen D. Newlin Family Student Wellness & Recreation Center, designed by RDG, was built as an addition to the KIng Center, the school's existing recreation and athletic facility.
All told, the project provides 34,000 square feet of new or renovated space, including a two-court gymnasium, a bouldering wall, group exercise area, fitness and weights area, an expanded women's athletic locker room, and new men's and women's recreation locker rooms. The addition connects all three floor levels of the existing facility.
A $2 million donation from alumnus Stephen D. Newlin, combined with $6.7 million in increased student fees, fees, provided funding for the expansion.
The two-court Fraser gymnasium that is a key addition to the center is named for former South Dakota Mines president Harvey Fraser, who led the school from 1966 to 1975.
Students approved increasing their fees to pay for the expansion after many of them contended that the available fitness and recreation space was inadequate to meet the demand.