The Student Recreation and Wellness Center provides a new destination for Ball State University students. The facility was designed and constructed to simplify and enhance the former Irving Gymnasium complex and offers much more than its predecessor. A curvilinear design provides functionality for the many spaces housed within the structure, including a three-tier fitness center, a five-court gymnasium, an indoor synthetic turf field, three multipurpose rooms, an eighth-mile running track, an indoor climbing wall and outdoor center, massage and wellness rooms, three student lounges, and dedicated academic and athletic spaces. In addition, the center offers a sandwich kiosk and a convenience store.
Construction materials were selected for both beauty and purpose. Ground-faced block with a clear anti-graffiti coating is used throughout as a wall finish, providing functionality, aesthetics and durability. Both wood and rubber sports flooring products complement epoxy terrazzo and sealed concrete floors, and the entire facility is enriched with WiFi, video monitors and satellite radio.
Outside, a muted, two-tone metal panel system combines with high-performance windows. Additionally, almost 92 percent of the original Irving Gymnasium's building materials were recycled. The design and construction team reclaimed 393 tons of concrete from the original building to enhance poor soil conditions.
University of South Alabama Student Recreation Center
