On April 15, the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) had its open house, an opportunity for students, staff, faculty and the entire MSU community to see the new building and its extensive list of amenities.
For four hours, the new building was flooded with Spartans of all ages enjoying the facility and making history as the first Spartans to use the new center.
“It’s a historical day,” Associate Director of MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness Angela Michael said of the opening event. “I think it’s a beautiful building, I think the students deserve it. We’ve tried to do everything we can so that the students know the building is theirs.”
New Building Features
The 293,000-square-foot building features an incredible number of unique amenities found nowhere else on campus. In addition to regular strength and cardio equipment, the SRWC is home to several gymnasiums; an indoor turf field; an indoor track; gender inclusive locker rooms and bathrooms; strength and fitness studios, and multipurpose rooms for group exercise classes.
Among the more unique features is the 47-foot-tall climbing wall, called Spartan Summit, a bouldering wall, known as The Rock, sport simulators, a hammock area and a 50-meter recreational swimming pool (scheduled to open next year). The SWRC meets and exceeds national intramural facility standards and will be home to many IM sports in the coming semesters.
“It’s exciting to be able to work here as well as come here as a student,” Student Employee Daniella Doud said. “It feels like you have a good place to be as a student to connect with people and stay healthy.”
During the open house event, students were jovial throughout the new building. Whether it was a workout, pickup basketball game or studying, students were enjoying the SRWC.
“I absolutely love the building and all the new features,” Packaging Major Hailey McMahon said. “I have no complaints. I’m so excited to use all the new equipment and features, it’s an incredible building.”
More Than a Workout
The SRWC is meant to be more than just a place for students to work out. Michael shared how it’s a place for students to gather, study and connect with their peers. “The goal is that students feel like they belong when they use the SRWC. It’s a place where they can come study, relax and refresh. It’s a place where you gather and connect with people. It’s a beautiful building that offers tons of new experiences for students.”
With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating in and around the building, the SRWC can be used for all sorts of gatherings in addition to the numerous group fitness sessions and IM sports events.
“The space is very elevated,” Daoud said. “The different levels are very nice. It makes working out and coming here to be active a lot more inviting and encouraging.”
The SRWC will be a gathering place for Spartans looking for a workout, a study spot and community. Take a visit to the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center at 810 Birch Road or learn more about the SRWC, including a full list of amenities and hours, here.
Author: Zachary Phelps