The addition, designed by SmithGroupJJR, shares space with the Department of Kinesiology of the University. It spans 22,000 square feet while encompassing two floors. The facility features a cardio/weight room covering 9000 square feet, and a 1/11 mile three-lane indoor track. Among its other features are a rock climbing wall measuring 40 feet in height, as well as a 720 square feet bouldering structure.
The windowless block and brick north façade of the building have been substituted with a glass curtain wall as part of the project. The facility’s interior perimeter now features highly utilised activity centres, thereby raising visibility levels of the activities of the centre for pedestrians moving along the east mall. Further, the new facility has been equipped with life safety systems and biometric hand scanners.
The look of the new facility is accentuated by a customised mural system. The system, installed in the upper floor of the interior south wall of the building, measures 18 feet by 92 feet. Variegated brown brick, cast stone highlights, and window mullions in bronze metal serve as predominant design features.
The project has been financed via student fees.
