For EKU students, faculty and staff, staying physically fit will become much easier beginning in Fall 2003.

That's when a $7 million wellness and fitness facility is expected to open adjacent to Roy Kidd Stadium and the Moberly Building. Construction is expected to begin later this summer.

"This will complement academic pursuits by providing an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to concentrate on health and wellness," said Dr. Rita Davis, acting vice president for student affairs and chair of the center's planning committee.

The 48,000-square-foot building will house a multi-purpose gymnasium with space for two high school-size basketball courts or two volleyball/badminton courts. State-of-the-art equipment will allow for the quick conversion of courts.

It also will contain an indoor track, two aerobics studios, a climbing wall and a 10,200-square-foot weights and fitness room featuring the latest in equipment.

"Directors at every place we visited told us that we could never have too much space for weights and fitness equipment," Davis said, "so we made that a high priority."

The facility also will feature a lounge with a big-screen TV, locker and laundry facilities, offices, conference room, and a patio and deck that overlook the north end of the football stadium.

"We feel that we've got a lot into this building for the money," Davis said. "It's very functional."
A 10-member planning committee made up of students, faculty and staff visited 15-20 similar centers, asking questions at each site about facility usage and effective programming. The committee used a campuswide survey to gauge the desires of students.

"When students come to campus looking for an opportunity to continue their education, we are always asked if we have a wellness or workout facility," Davis noted. "We think this will be a wonderful recruiting and retention tool."

The facility is the first phase in what University officials hope is a three-phase wellness and recreation project, although no timetable has been set for the remaining phases. The committee will continue planning for the second and third phases with input from the campus community.