VSU opens $9.7 million recreation center

Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor will deliver the keynote address during the dedication ceremony of Valdosta State University's new $9.7 million Student Recreation Center on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 11 a.m.

The two-story 64,000 square-foot building, located on Sustella Ave., will house an indoor swimming pool, climbing wall, aerobic rooms, three racquetball courts, an indoor track and 10,000 square-feet of space dedicated to free weights and cardiovascular equipment.

?This new state-of-the-art facility not only will offer unlimited recreational and fitness opportunities, but will also help build the community on campus as students, faculty and staff are able to workout together,? said Dr. Kurt Keppler, vice president for Student Affairs. ?Research has shown that campus recreation centers serve as both recruitment and retention tools and I?m sure this will be the case at VSU as well.?

According to the National Recreation Facilities Institute (NIRSA), since 2000 their member institutions have spent $6.6 billion for construction and renovation of indoor recreational sports facilities and that number is projected to approach $4.4 billion in the next five years.

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony and take a tour of the facility.