Marquette will move forward later this month with the planned renovation and construction of a fully reimagined, comprehensive Wellness + Recreation facility at the current location of the Helfaer Tennis Stadium and Recreation Center (Rec Center) on the southwestern edge of campus. The Board of Trustees officially approved the project at its Dec. 2 meeting.
The Rec Center will be open its regular hours until 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 — it will remain closed through the duration of the project. At the start of the spring 2023 semester, interim spaces will be available at several campus locations for fitness, recreation and club sports.
Importantly, the interim locations will be open the same number of hours each day as have been available at the Rec Center and Rec Plex. Additionally, all fitness and recreation equipment (e.g., treadmills, spin bikes, weight equipment, etc.) from the Rec Center will be available at the Rec Plex Plus and O’Donnell Hall locations.
When it opens in January 2025, the approximately 180,000-square-foot Wellness + Recreation facility will bring together campus fitness and recreation facilities with the Counseling Center and the Marquette University Medical Clinic — centralizing student services that are currently dispersed across campus. The facility will foster community, inclusiveness and engagement, and provide a destination on campus that supports the physical and mental health needs of the Marquette community.
Wellness and recreation fundraising challenge continues
As with recent campus capital projects, the facility will be funded through a combination of philanthropy, external partnerships and university capital.
Significant fundraising efforts continue. An anonymous couple last year contributed a leadership gift of $5 million and have committed to giving another $5 million once the university community raises $10 million in new gifts and pledges.
University leaders continue to invite the Marquette community to consider giving in support of the overall project as well as in honor of Mike and Amy Lovell for their inspirational leadership. Marquette alumni, parents and friends have contributed $19.9 million to date.
