The Updated Facility Will Consolidate Services With Emphasis On Student Wellness
SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
The University of Southern Indiana has begun an estimated $12 million renovation of its Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness Center (RFWC) including a 31,000-square-foot expansion, 10,000 square feet of renovated space, and a renewed focus on student wellness that will consolidate office space for several departments across campus into one building. Work on the project, funded through a 2019 legislative appropriation, is already underway and expected to be completed in early 2024.
“The project centralizes critical University services into one location and creates the ideal wellness center for today’s student,†says Steve Bridges, USI Vice President for Finance and Administration. “Increasing the visibility of these services by moving them under one roof, near the center of campus, will also make them more convenient and accessible for the entire University community.â€
In addition to the current recreation and fitness facilities already in place, the project will include renovated and added wellness-centric space for six departments, including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS); Public Safety; Religious Life; the Student Wellness Office (currently housed in the RFWC); the University Health Center (UHC); and University Strategic Communication.
Some of the features of the renovated facility will include an expanded footprint for the UHC, with added provider rooms, additional clinical exam spaces, separate waiting rooms for USI employees and students and nurse stations in the exam rooms; a meditation room, and new office space for Religious Life; technology upgrades, bike storage and a storm-safe dispatch room for Public Safety; soundproof offices and expanded space for CAPS, a new photography studio with dedicated video editing and sound bays for University Strategic Communication; a Quiet Lounge, expanded game room and more. Two new entrances will be located at the north and south ends of the building and will better accommodate the natural flow of campus pedestrian traffic.
During construction a new entryway and temporary front desk have been put in place, however, construction is not affecting any offerings at the RFWC.
USI’s RFWC was constructed in 2001 and later expanded in 2009. The current facility offers diverse programming for students and employees and includes three multipurpose courts for basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and badminton; a strength and conditioning area with cardiovascular machines and free weight equipment; indoor walking/jogging track; a 33-foot-tall rock-climbing tower; group exercise rooms; showers and locker rooms; game room with billiards, table tennis, video games and foosball; and a lounge area with television.
