Missouri Western Moves Forward on Fitness Center Renovation

Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO, accepted a $220,000 bid to renovate the Baker Family Fitness Center. The renovations mostly affect the weight room and cardio workout area of the fitness center.

By removing some walls, the renovation will expand the cardio area for a more open fitness center appearance. The renovation includes gutting the old football coaches’ offices to develop a large multipurpose room that can be used for fitness or classes.

New restrooms and a larger reception area are planned for the front of the building, the current locker rooms will be refurbished with new fixtures and flooring, and a laundry room will be added in the former football conference room, Missouri Sports Magazine reported. A training room will be renovated to become the first locker room for the Griffon women’s soccer team.

”The renovations will make the fitness center more inviting and pleasant for the students, employees, alumni and Gold Coat Club members who get so much use out of it already,” Kurt McGuffin, director of athletics, told the magazine. "The project will also add a much-needed locker room for our women’s soccer team.”

Brooner & Associates Construction Inc.'s bid of $220,932 was the lowest among the five St. Joseph contractors that bid on the project. The project will be funded by Max Experience student fees and money set aside for renovation projects in the university’s auxiliary budget, the magazine reported.