$5m needed for new fitness center

Students enduring the long wait-line for ellipticals and treadmills at the crammed Connolly Center will soon find relief.

By fall 2011, Facilities will have completed a new fitness center with 18,750 new square feet of both existing and new exercise equipment, locker rooms, exercise classrooms and offices for Outdoor Adventure and Recreation.

But University Advancement still needs to raise half of the money for the project. The Capitol Campaign covers half of project costs, which total roughly $10 million. Facilities expects to see the other half before construction.

According to Michael Kerns, associate vice president of Facilities, the university is in the process of acquiring permits needed for construction to begin. He expects to break ground on the project this spring. With roughly 12-16 months of construction planned, the facility is slated to open in fall 2011.

The two-story complex will feature 608 lockers as well as men and women's locker rooms and will be attached to the existing Connolly Center on 14th Avenue. The second floor will also have two group exercise studios. Most of the exercise equipment will be moved from the current space into the new facility.

Students who currently use the Connolly Center say it is a much needed addition.
"Students who do not normally use the gym will probably be more likely to check it out," said Olivia Guffner, graduate student in the masters in teaching program. "The current weight room is a little cave-like."

Space and overcrowding has been an issue at the current Connolly Center, Kerns said. The hope is that the new fitness center will alleviate wait times and provide a more modern area for students to work out.

"This will provide students with much needed space, said Kerns, who has been working with Mortenson Construction and athletic administration to come up with a viable design. "We are really changing the environment. This space will have a ton of natural light."

Mortenson is the same company working on the new Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons. The center will be built to LEED Gold standards and use renewable and sustainable materials.

Kristen Christopher, strength and fitness specialist at Seattle U, is excited about the new facility.

"I think it's going to be an enormous recruiting tool for incoming students," Christopher said. "It is going to be a great space—no overcrowding, more spacious and a lot more natural light."

Both Christopher and Kerns think the new space will also draw students who might not normally use the gym.

"This new space is 100 percent donated to recreation sports and students," Kerns said.
The portion of the Capital Campaign titled "Great Facilities for Teaching and Learning" included the funds for this new sports and recreation facility. Of the $63.5 million dollar goal for fundraising in that area, roughly $54 million of that has been raised. Along with funding for "Jesuit Identity," this was the only area that did not reach planned goals.

As far as the impact of yet another construction project, Kerns said students have little to worry about.

"This will actually have a low impact on students. We will not be shutting down any existing buildings," he said.

While construction on the new facility is taking place, Connolly Center will remain open. When the new facility is built, the old Connolly Center may be used as a weight room for student athletes.

Bobby Segal, freshman pre-major and soccer player, said most students will be happy just to have a new and fresh facility.

"I'm excited about it. I think the idea of new things and a new facility will excite people," Segal said. "People may be more excited about working out."