UMD News

Director of Public Relations:
Susan Beasy Latto, slatto@d.umn.edu
315 Darland Administration Bldg.
1049 University Drive
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 726-8830 Cell: (218) 348-5688
Fax: (218) 726-7413

May 1, 2005

Contact:
Susan Beasy Latto, UMD Director of Public Relations (218) 726-8830, slatto@d.umn.edu

Ground breaking - May 3, 2005 - 1 pm

Funding:
$8.7 million State support
$4.3 million University

Scope:
Funds will be used to construct, furnish, and equip a two-level addition to the UMD Sports and Health Center to meet the needs of the Recreational Sports Outdoor Program and Intercollegiate Athletics. The facility will include fitness and conditioning space, multi-purpose recreational space, and office space for the Recreational Sports Outdoor Program.

Facilities and Programs:
The addition to the Sports and Health Center will allow more students to participate in intramural sports and fitness and weight training for both recreation and varsity athletics.

The project will create an important center for recreational sports and outdoor programs, which will benefit the University in recruitment, retention, and quality of life for students, as well as promote the health and wellness of participants

Increased enrollment, program expansion, and limited space have created the need for the addition.

More than 90 percent of UMD's 10,000 students participate in the Recreational Sports Outdoor Program, and more than 430 students are involved in varsity athletics.

Since 1996, varsity athletics has added women's hockey and women's soccer programs - with more than 130 participants.

The need for the new facility originated with a petition signed by students who were dissatisfied with the problem of access to recreation programs and facilities.

In April 2002, UMD students voted to fund one third of the project cost through student fees.

Bids have been let and are due May 17. Construction will begin in mid-June. The complex will be completed and open for use in October 2006.

For more information see:
http://www.umdrsop.org/
http://www.d.umn.edu/fm/

Floor plans:

Concourse Level

Lower Level