SF State begins design of new recreation wellness center

Planning underway for student-funded recreation facility on Winston Drive

SAN FRANCISCO, August 28, 2012 -- San Francisco State University has started design of a student recreation wellness center that is expected to be completed in 2016. The facility will offer space for students to exercise and play intramural sports, contributing to a vibrant student activity zone on the northern edge of the campus.

The 112,000-square-foot facility will be located on Winston Drive, west of Stonestown Galleria Mall. It will be constructed on the site of Parking Lot 25 and the former Sutro Library, which has been relocated to the renovated J. Paul Leonard Library.

The center will include a two-court gym, a multi-activity court gym, climbing wall, weight and fitness space, elevated jogging track, indoor swimming pool and spaces for students to socialize. The project will also include a safe and accessible pedestrian connection to the main campus. In addition, the site will be prepared for a future softball field and recreation field.

"The recreation wellness center will be a hub of activity and will provide a much-needed communal space where students can come together to focus on health, exercise and wellness," said Dean of Students Joseph Greenwell. "It will be a big addition to the campus, allowing us to serve our students better."

The $80 million project will be funded through student fees, approved in 2010 with student support of the new facility. Since the inception of the project, students have been involved in the planning process.

"This facility will revitalize the northwest side of the campus," said Simon Lam, associate vice president for capital design, planning and construction. "The building will shape SF State's public face, serving as a positive signpost and welcoming gateway as you approach the University from the north."

Construction of the recreation wellness center is expected to begin in spring 2014 and be completed in early 2016. It will be the first new building constructed as part of SF State's master plan, which was approved in 2007.

The building will be designed and constructed to a LEED Gold level standard, a measure of sustainability established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

An informational meeting for the local community will be held on Sept. 12, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. in Administration Building, room 460, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco.

SF State is the only master's-level public university serving the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin. The University enrolls nearly 30,000 students each year and offers nationally acclaimed programs in a range of fields -- from creative writing, cinema and biology to history, broadcast and electronic communication arts, theatre arts and ethnic studies. The University’s more than 212,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond.

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