The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is ready to open a $14.89 million recreation and wellness center on the school's East Campus.
The renovation project roughly doubles the recreation space available in the East Campus rec center, the university says. The facility is scheduled to open July 13.
The rec center is housed in what used to be known as the Activities Building, constructed in 1926. It also served a student union until 1976, when it was converted to a recreation facility.
The renovated space features 56 cardio machines arranged on two levels: a Synrgy BlueSky 360 workout station, a strength training area, a golf simulator room, group exercise studios, two indoor gyms, stretching areas, an outdoor bouldering structure, a two-lane indoor walking/jogging track, personal training options, massage therapy space, a coffee/smoothie corner, locker rooms and saunas.
"This is a huge addition to Campus Recreation and East Campus," said Sherri Tompkins, assistant director for member services on East Campus. "The Activities Building was simply not designed to be a rec center. This redesigned space has so much more to offer, and usage is going to explode."
The East Campus rec center renovation marks the completion of a five-year, $23 million upgrade of campus recreation facilities that was approved by students in 2010. The "Yes 2 Better Rec Centers" effort also brought about construction of the Outdoor Adventures Center, which opened last year, and the renovation and expansion of cardiovascular and strength areas within the Campus Rec Center on City Campus.