By Diane Toroian Keaggy, news.wustl.edu
A suspended jogging track, a three-court gymnasium, two multipurpose rooms, a spinning studio, state-of-the-art fitness equipment and team locker rooms are among the features planned for the new Gary and Rachel Sumers Recreation Center.
The Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees is expected to approve the project in early April. The Sumers Recreation Center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2016 and will provide the entire campus community – students, faculty, staff and alumni – with a place to exercise, play, socialize and celebrate.
“The Sumers Recreation Center will be a wonderful addition to the Danforth Campus and will become a focal point for all members of the university community,” said Justin Carroll, associate vice chancellor for students. “We want our students to lead healthy, well-balanced lives. These state-of-the-art fitness and recreation facilities will enhance our efforts to encourage students to develop healthy lifestyles and habits for life.” The new complex will cost $50-$55 million. Upon approval of the WUSTL Board of Trustees, construction is slated to begin this summer. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for April 11. WUSTL alumnus and trustee Gary Sumers and his wife, Rachel, have committed $12 million to build the new facility.
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the acclaimed architecture firm behind the Apple Store’s flagship location in New York City, designed the center in association with St. Louis firm Hastings+Chivetta Architects. The Sumers Recreation Center will provide much-needed space for intramural sports, group exercise classes and recreation and fitness activities. Other features include team meeting rooms, offices and a sports medicine suite. Carroll said the final design reflects years of planning.
“We assessed the interests and needs of students, faculty and staff through surveys and focus groups,” Carroll said. “This planning enabled us to identify health and recreation facilities as the top need.”
The Sumers Recreation Complex will include:
- A reimagined Francis Gymnasium. Visitors will enter the facility through the historic towers of the Francis Gymnasium, which once again will be linked by a path to Graham Chapel, as originally envisioned by the university architects Cope and Stewardson. The gym will be replaced with the Sumers Fitness Center, locker rooms and multipurpose rooms.
- A new 66,500-square-foot addition, located south of the current Francis Gymnasium. Boasting skylights and sweeping views of Francis Field, the addition will house the suspended jogging track, three-court gym and sports medicine suite.
- A renovated auxiliary gym in the existing Athletic Complex.
Read more in the WUSTL Newsroom.