Higher education institutions across the state of Illinois are demonstrating a clear commitment to student health and wellness through the construction of new and expanded campus recreation facilities, according to one of the leading architects behind the recent trend. "Illinois has been aggressive in recognizing that adequate facilities are vital to engaging students and promoting wellness," says J. Thomas Seymour, AIA, an executive vice president with the architectural/ engineering firm of PSA-Dewberry. "Many colleges and universities in the state are recognizing that fitness centers are essential as a focal point for their campuses and a popular place for student activities and socializing."
Seymour points to the recently completed Markin Family Student Recreation Center at Bradley University as one example. The center draws both students and faculty members from the Peoria-based campus, and is used for recreation as well as a host of student services, safety-related events, and conferences. "The Markin Center has demonstrated the dramatic impact that one building can have on an entire educational community," Seymour says. "The primary focus is on student wellness and that says a lot about a university's commitment to its students."
Mike Keup, executive director of campus recreation & athletic facilities at Bradley University, cites several statistics in assessing the success of the Markin Center:
- An increase from 500 users a day in the previous, smaller facility to 1,600 to 1,900 users a day in the Markin Center
- An increase from about 50 passes per semester for unlimited use of group fitness classes to more than 200
- An increase in group fitness classes to 35 hours a week and the ability to launch the university's popular new "Get Fit, Stay Fit" program
"Our only problem now is with scheduling and all of this demand," Keup says. "Our fitness classes and wellness programs are booming. There's no doubt in my mind that we're impacting student health and wellness."
Two additional higher education campuses will soon see expanded recreation facilities. Illinois Central College, also located in Peoria, will open its new CougarPlex in the fall. Designed by PSA-Dewberry, the complex includes a major addition and a comprehensive renovation to existing gymnasium space. "There is a great demand from students for facilities for fitness and exercise," says Illinois Central College President John Erwin. "The idea of fitness and wellness is also a big incentive for our employees. It will also allow us to expand our academic programming. For example, students will be able to major in personal training and then seek the appropriate licensing and certification."
In Normal, Illinois State University has plans to open a new recreation center in 2011. Designed by PSA-Dewberry in association with RGD Planning & Design, the center will support student recreation activities and accommodate programs for the School of Kinesiology and Recreation.
Dr. Richard Runner, director of facilities planning and construction, believes that the dramatic change from the current Recreation Services facility (currently located in a 30,000-square-foot facility located more than one-half mile from the closest corner of the campus) will provide new and exciting activity for the campus center. The inclusion of the School of Kinesiology and Recreation has provided much needed relief for those academic facilities.
"The KnR program has grown from teaching physical education instructors to becoming a modern research and teaching program, all the time being relegated to ‘found' space under bleachers and cobbled spaces along balconies. This new facility will allow them to finally teach and train our future sports and recreation service providers without being encumbered by inadequate space," says Runner.
"The combined programs also allowed for a much better opportunity for multiple use of the large fitness spaces. Since recreation normally occurs at different hours than education the space will be more efficiently used," he added.
The university is looking forward to the January 2011 opening date.