More than 300 staff, students and alumni attended the Student Recreation and Wellness Center groundbreaking ceremony at California State University of Long Beach (CSULB) today. The fitness center is scheduled to be completed late summer 2010.
The project is completely funded by students, who voted to infringe a fee to their tuition that amounts to an extra $110 for fall and spring semesters as well as $83 for summer. The vote won with a 3/4 majority in 2007.
“This will help change the ‘commuter’ stereo-type CSULB has, into a seven-day-a-week university,” said Dr. F. King Alexander. He added that the facility will help bring students and professors closer together, thus creating a greater sense of community.
The new facility will include; three basket courts, rock climbing walls, indoor sand volleyball court, and a Jacuzzi that will hold 25 people. No passes will be issued for the gym because it will run off biometrics, which means your handprint is your pass.
According to Dave Edwards, ASI Associate Executive Director, the entire facility will be energy efficient. The air conditioners and lights will run off censors, reclaimed water will be used for the irrigation system and all urinals will be waterless.
With help from students, the award-winning firm Cannon Designs has created an architecture for the recreation center that is hands down cutting edge. “Long Beach State will be one of the first CSUs with this type of facility, which will promote wellness in the CSULB community,” said Edwards.
The corner of Atherton and Palos Verdes will host the location of the new facility, otherwise known as Lot 11.
Click here for a virtual tour of the new facility and more information.
A rendering of the future fitness center design.
Ricklyn Hukriede is a contributing news reporter and current journalism student at Long Beach City College.