Students walking past the Recreation Center at California Baptist University may be curious as to why there is still ongoing construction. Since the beginning of fall 2018, there have been significant renovations to the inside and outside of the Recreation Center.
The construction is set to be complete by August 2019 and will allow room for dozens of new features and resources for students.
Stefani Plummer, director of the Recreation Center, said the renovations affect the curved sectored area of the building, which now has new cardio equipment.
Renovations will include, creating more space in the weight room and broadening upstairs to create a fitness suite along with locker rooms.
Future expansion will include an additional basketball court and three group exercise rooms for bicycling, punching bags and more accommodations.
“The renovation was due to a need to upgrade some areas and create some more space in the facility. The expansion will give us more square footage. As the university grows, we have an increase in usage of the Recreation Center,” Plummer said.
The staff and faculty at the Recreation Center have assured students they aim to serve the student body well, even during construction. Everything that is being done is to improve the experience for the Lancer Nation
“I like the changes being done on the inside,” said Cooper Strull, freshman business administration major. “I enjoy having the Rec Center as a resource and getting to spend my time there. Working out by myself and with friends is an important aspect of my life here at CBU.”
Strull said the general construction does not affect his daily workouts and looks forward to the changes being completed.
He is one of many students who actively goes to the Recreation Center and sees it as a way to get healthy and connect with friends. It is important for college students to have access to recourses such as the Recreation Center.
Erin Annott, senior kinesiology major and student worker at the Recreation Center, said she likes her job and the community surrounding her work.
“The renovations don’t affect our daily tasks. If anything, it pushes us harder as a team to accomplish everything,” Annott said. “Before we had a washer and dryer, we would have to take everything to the Community Life offices or wherever we could find a place to wash the towels and other things.”
The renovations have brought more people who are curious to see what changes and additions are being made. Since the start of the new year, the facility and staff have also noticed more people coming in to fill New Year’s resolutions and build healthy habits. Renovation and expansions will create new fitness opportunities for students.
Continuing into the semester, students eagerly await the finished renovations for fall 2019.
