Nov. 23 - Trustees Approve Phase 2 on Student Recreation Center
Successful fund raising of more than $2.3 million from private sources has led the Rider University Board of Trustees to approve moving forward with the $2.8 million second phase of the Student Recreation Center (SRC).
The first phase is the construction of a 45,000-square foot SRC, which began in July. Phase 2 entails connecting the SRC to Alumni Gymnasium with a spacious 9,000 square foot atrium/lobby where students and the campus community can congregate. Both phases of the three-part project will now proceed concurrently with the targeted completion date being September 2005.
“I am delighted by our Trustees’ commitment to this project. Our fund raising success and their approval steps up the momentum of this renewal of our facilities.” said Rider President Mordechai Rozanski. “Not only are we providing our students with much-needed intramural, fitness, recreational and gathering space, we are also beginning to transform the whole look of the mall.”
The façade of the lobby area that will connect the SRC and Alumni Gym will have a large glass fronted entrance, peak roofs and a cupola that will echo the design of the residence hall projects across the mall. The residence hall construction and renovation work coincided with the start of the SRC work.
Interior design of the lobby will feature comfortable couches and chairs to create an attractive environment where students can gather. There will also be a coffee station/food area similar to the one in the atrium of Sweigart Hall, the
The SRC addresses the serious lack of space on campus for intramural sports, aerobic and fitness training for students. It will feature three recreational/intramural basketball courts, a 3600-square foot fitness center, an aerobics room, locker room facilities, a second-floor jogging track, and offices and meeting areas on the second floor.
Phase three involves the renovation of Alumni Gym where Rider’s NCAA Division I competitions are held. Phase three will be undertaken as funds become available.
On April 1, President Rozanski and members of the Board of Trustees broke ground for a $16 million program of campus renovation and building projects that will transform the look of the Lawrenceville campus’ mail mall. Plans called for residence hall expansion and renovation on the north side of the mall and construction of the student recreation center adjacent to the gym. The projects are part of a long-range facilities master plan focusing on the needs of both the Lawrenceville and
