A groundbreaking ceremony for the Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center took place on Friday, May 9, at the future site of the $23 million center, which will be constructed entirely from donor-supported funding. It is set to open in early fall 2015, thanks to the work of 360 Architecture, Dan Danielson and Soderstrom Architects, and SKANSKA. Renderings of the proposed building can be found at http://tinyurl.com/kurlp7z.
The building is expected to become a dynamic focal point on campus and will enhance the physical and mental health of students, faculty and staff. Designs call for a new, modern facility, which will feature state-of-the-art equipment and space to accommodate the growing University community. Gifts made to the Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center were included in the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 with a goal of raising $175 million by the end of June 2014. The RISE Campaign is one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.
Fr. Beauchamp announced last year he is stepping down as president at the end of June 2014. He will be succeeded by president-elect Rev. Mark Poorman, C.S.C., who was elected by the University’s Board of Regents in January. The University’s president since 2003, Beauchamp has been a strong supporter of the new center.
The center’s main level will have three gyms. The total space available for the three courts is 23,090 square feet – and another 2,830 square feet for locker rooms. This level also will have 1,480 square feet of administrative office space and an outdoor recreation and bike shop, with 1,520 square feet available. Overlooking the main floor will be treadmills and stationary bikes; suspended above all three recreational gyms will be a 10,130 square foot track designed so that eight laps equal one mile. The center will include a strength and weight training area and a 730 square foot rock wall for climbing.
For more information see the Beauchamp Wellness Center website at http://tinyurl.com/l5plm7t.