giving the gift of health
DESCRIPTION
A brochure about the new Student Recreation CenterTRANSCRIPT
GivinG the Gift of healthStudent Affairs Student Recreation Center: Create a better student experience.
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Letter from Dr. RamseyAs we chart our course to becoming a premier metropolitan research university, we are directing our efforts toward
the pursuit of several major goals. In the realm of student outcomes, our plans are twofold:
• Continue the progress we have made in advancing undergraduate retention and graduation rates
• Enhance success by fostering an environment that encourages diverse groups of students to interact together in a positive way
Beyond academic program enrichment, one of our goals as outlined in the 2020 Plan is to increase the number of
FTE students living on campus from 19% to 32% in 2020. One avenue we have identified for achieving this plan is
to strengthen the student experience by developing a new recreational facility. Doing this creates a lively campus
community that encourages co-curricular activity and campus involvement. Our Student Activity Center on Floyd Street
could no longer keep pace with our growing enrollment, nor did it have the capacity to accommodate the programs our
students desire. Given these shortcomings, we felt it was time to move forward with a complex that is truly at the center
of student life and promotes healthy and meaningful interactions for all.
James R. RamseyPresident, University of Louisville
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Rationale for Today’s Discussion At the University of Louisville, we offer a multitude of settings where students can actively engage in learning
and make progress toward achieving their full potential. However, academic centers of excellence are just one
area where we aim to help our students grow.
A Focal Point for Campus Life
Outside the realm of traditional classroom instruction, and at an integral point of campus life, we are working
to promote students’ success and well-being by creating a new recreational complex. The spacious multi-use
center allows students to experience the excitement of healthy competition by participating in a variety of
activities. Students also have the opportunity to put down their backpacks and relax in one of several lounge
and study areas.
Closer to a Place of National Distinction
By positively contributing to students’ lives on campus, we can increase their satisfaction and add to the
perception of their overall educational experience. This, in turn, will help us secure a place of distinction among
the country’s most respected metropolitan universities.
Research has consistently shown that involvement in extracurricular activities is an important factor in student retention
and achievement. Similarly, peer interactions inside and outside the classroom have been found to have a strong impact
on student outcomes.
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Recognizing a Need As our student population has grown, so has our need for additional recreational space.In 2009 a team of University of Louisville administrators, students and outside consultants embarked on
a comprehensive facility study and found that our Swain Student Activities Center (SAC) was no longer able
to meet the growing needs of our student population. The analysis also revealed a deficit of up to 552,000
square feet in multi-use recreational space, compared to comparable-sized universities.
Opened in the fall of 1990, the SAC had more than
180,000 visitors during its first year of operation.
Since then, the number of visitors has doubled, and
the number of participants involved in our intramural-
recreational sports program now totals 455,130.
University of Pittsburgh 600,000
University of Cincinnati 335,000
University of Iowa 215,000
University of Alabama 150,000
Western Kentucky University 127,000
University of Kentucky 87,000
University of Louisville 48,000
InstitutionAmount of Square Footage for Primary Recreational Fitness Center
Here’s How We Rank
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Access to Exercise: Good for the Body and the Brain We want to give all students the opportunity to actively participate in their education.This is especially true for college students, who are already faced with the challenge of balancing school and life.
Laying the Groundwork for Good Health
By building one centrally located recreation center, and making it open to all interests and abilities, we create
an opportunity for students to exercise and develop habits that help them stay healthy throughout their lives.
Regular participants of recreational sports are more likely to live closer to their respective campus than
non-users by an average of 4 miles. This makes the recreational sports participant more likely to be involved
in other campus functions than non-users.
Emphasis on Inclusivity and Fun
The new recreation center offers students many ways to be active, whether it’s competing in a game of hoops or
participating in a group fitness class. Once students give the facility and programs a test-drive, they will see that
the path to sustained fitness is not just for the scholarship athletes on campus. They’ll also discover that exercise
can actually be fun and make them feel better about school, about learning and generally about themselves, as
participation in recreational sports is a key determinant of satisfaction and success in college.
A HEALTHy STuDENT iS A HAppy STuDENT
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Advantages of RecreationIn determining how recreation affects success, we took a lesson from our students.As part of our facility study, we conducted a campus survey to gauge student interest in recreational programs.
Another objective of the survey was to establish a link between participation in recreational activities and the
likelihood of academic success. Key findings are as follows:
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The New Campus Town CenterA Place to Live, Shop, Dine and PlayWith its sights on the future, the University of Louisville is transforming into a campus that is home to
thousands of students, researchers and professors. This is a campus that has transformed itself to meet
the needs and lifestyles of its residents and visitors. We’re creating a neighborhood, a community of scholars
centered in a place where they can learn and play. We have great academic facilities, and are adding new
restaurants and dining halls, interesting shops and nearby lofts. A new student recreation center serves as
the hub of a transformed campus and the beginning of a healthier community.
A GATEwAy To HEALTH
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Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., Vice President for Student Affairs
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High Level of Sustainable Design Our development plans reflect our dedication to the health of our local community and the global environment. In keeping with our vision for creating a healthier environment for students, faculty and staff, the design of our new
Student Recreation Center achieves a LEED Silver rating and incorporates many sustainable features, including:
• Passive solar technology • High-performance, thermal-glass windows
• Natural ventilation • High-efficiency heating and air-conditioning systems
• Water-conserving plumbing fixtures • Geo thermal heating and cooling
• Locally manufactured materials, such as
brick and stone
The recreation field is constructed with sustainable design through:
• An artificial surface that eliminates the use of • Locally sourced materials to limit energy costs
fertilizer for the fields and requires less water • Construction precautions to control soil erosion,
• High-efficiency field lighting waterway sedimentation and airborne dust
• A rainwater filter system • Installed materials made up of recycled content
The Student Recreation Center is constructed in accordance with
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, a
respected certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
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4th St
CSX Railroad
Kurz Hall
Site for Recreation Center
Site for Multi-purpose Field
Community Park Minardi Hall
Charting New Territory Our student recreation center is at the heart of our plans to bring new vitality to our Belknap Campus. The location for the new student recreation center is on South Fourth Street, between Kurz Hall and Billy Minardi Hall.
The architectural style of the facility complements the modern housing complexes and commercial developments near
the Belknap Campus. An arrival plaza developed along with the recreation center creates an inviting entry to this side
of campus, signaling not only a landmark building, but also expression of the University’s commitment to student
culture and life experiences.
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Features of the Facility Our student recreation center and the adjoining outdoor recreation field offers students unlimited possibilities for fun and relaxation.Just as students can challenge themselves academically in classrooms and research labs, our student recreation center
provides students with a supportive environment to push themselves physically and improve their overall health.
Interior• Multi-activity court where students can play indoor
soccer, floor hockey and team handball
• Elevated walking and jogging track
• Spacious fitness/weight area with locker
rooms
• Four racquetball courts and adaptable squash court
• Six basketball courts
• Three large group exercise rooms with suspended-
wood aerobic floors and surround sound
• Three large classrooms with multimedia capabilities
• Expansive atrium
• Bistro lobby area with televisions
• Video-gaming area and large social lounge
• Sports clubs activity space
Exterior• Lighted outdoor turf recreation field
• Practice venue for clubs (lacrosse, rugby, frisbee, etc.)
• Enjoyed by thousands of students annually
• Specifications: approximately 100 yards x 50 yards
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–Brandon McReynolds, Chair of the SGA Student Recreation Committee
“…our facilities lack the space needed to give
the growing student body a chance to be part
of a healthy lifestyle. A new premier facility will
be a building that will offer amenities...”
Weight Room featuringFree Weights, Plate Loaded
Fitness 14,200 sq. ftCardio, Selectorized, Stretching Areas
Aerobic Studios/Wellness 6,000 sq. ft 2 Studios at 1,400 and 1 Studio at 3,200
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Bistro/Lobby/TV Lounge 4,500 sq. ft
Racquetball Courts (4) 3,200 sq. ft Jogging Track 4,000 sq. ftSuspended 4-Lane Running Track
Classrooms 2,300 sq. ftTwo 550 sq. ft classrooms, one 1,200 sq ft classroom
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“The Student Recreation Center would be the crowning landmark project of our administration with regard
to student life. We have improved residence life. We have improved the appearance of the campus. We
have improved food service. We have provided new fields for intramurals. We have provided Cardinal Park
and the Natatorium for use by the entire campus. The Student Recreation Center would be our crowning
achievement.” - President James R. Ramsey, University of Louisville
proposal Summary The Student Recreation Center offers students unlimited possibilities for health and recreation.Your support will provide the impetus for the construction of a new recreation center that will serve as
the cornerstone for social activities and recreational sports at our Belknap Campus. Your gift will leverage funding
from other areas as well. This will include a commitment from the University and student fees to support the center.
• Attract all levels of high-achieving students
(undergraduate, professional and graduate)
• Enhance the quality of student life
• Persuade more students to live on campus
• Increase retention rates of all students
• Increase students’ chances of earning an
undergraduate degree
• Empower students to improve their overall
health and wellness
• Increase the University’s public profile
A student recreation center helps us attain several important goals:
your Gift Makes a DifferenceThe new Student Recreation Center (SRC) provides fitness, recreation, and social opportunities in many forms
for students, alumni, and faculty/staff. The SRC serves as a dynamic state-of-the-art facility for our recreational
activities at UofL, but we need you as a partner to reach our goal.
louisville.edu/reccenter
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louisville.edu/reccenter
Contact Us: Student Affairs
Student Activities Center, W302 University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292 502-852-6933
The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity institution. This publication was not printed with state funds.