Indiana State University Student Recreation Center

Terre Haute, Ind.
Construction Cost: $20.55 million
Area / Square Feet: 109,420
Occupancy Date: December 2008

The Indiana State University Student Recreation Center fulfills more than just a need for recreation space; it is also a key player in student recruitment and retention. In addition to students, Indiana State faculty and staff are able to use the facility as part of the university’s wellness program.

Major recreation components of the new center include a three-court gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and badminton; a natatorium consisting of a lap pool, a leisure pool and a 22-person spa; an elevated 1⁄9 -mile jogging/running track; a 10,500-square-foot fitness center; a group-cycling studio and two multipurpose activity studios suitable for aerobics, martial arts and fitness classes; a multiactivity court with team boxes and spectator seating designed for indoor soccer, floor hockey and other activities.

The two-story facility is designed so that the first floor includes sports, aquatics and all support spaces, while the second floor is dedicated to fitness. Permanently mounted adjustable-height basketball goals on goose-necked steelwork eliminate maintenance upkeep of motors and winches. The elimination of suspended piping for the goals also creates very clean lines overlooking the gymnasium from the suspended track. The openness of the facility promotes safety and ease of supervision.

The architecture supports both the aesthetic and functional requirements of the facility. The exterior respects the existing campus context with regard to materials and scale. At both entries, all major activities can be seen from a “free zone,” creating an immediate visual connection that promotes wellness and fitness.