The Activities and Recreation Center is closed today through Thursday (July 25-27) in preparation for major expansion of exercise space that has grown crowded since the ARC’s opening in 2004. Equipment is being moved around and temporary walls are going up to allow for the construction that is expected to last into 2019.

If you’re among the 5,000 student, faculty, staff and community members who use the ARC every day, take note: When the center reopens Friday, the main entrance will be on the west side of the building, along La Rue Road.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our main facility to help meet the needs of our growing student body,” said Deb Johnson, director of recreation.

The roughly $15.9 million, 20,000-square-foot expansion will occur mostly at the core of the building into what is now the courtyard, more space will be added to the second floor (and all cardio equipment will be moved upstairs), a dedicated boxing studio will be added and the cycling room will grow. But the main focus of the expansion is the fitness center, which will hold additional strength equipment including racks and benches. The growth there will feature indoor and outdoor areas dedicated to functional fitness — movements like those performed with kettlebells, TRX straps, medicine balls and battle ropes.

Funding is from existing student fees — specified for the ARC and approved by a vote of the student body.

During construction, the amount of equipment available won’t change — it’ll just be temporarily moved to make room for the construction.

Other logistical notes:

• Use the northernmost entry on the building’s east side to access the Business Center, staff offices and the ARC ballrooms.
• Use The Pavilion’s northeast entrance to access the member services desk (to purchase passes, for example) and group exercise studios.

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