New recreation center opens at Olivet

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University held a ceremony to open its newest building, the Student Life and Recreation Center (SLRC), to students, faculty, and staff.

"We have arrived at 12/12/12, a special date and — more importantly — a special day," said John Bowling, Olivet president. 

As midnight approached, a crowd of at least 1,500 gathered in front of the building and gradually pressed forward to enter as soon as the purple ribbon was cut. Just before midnight, Matt Smith, director of recreation services, kicked off the countdown.

At 12:12 a.m., 12 individuals cut the purple ribbon together:

• Jameson Forshee, president of the Associated Student Council
• Doug Perry, vice president for finance
• Matt Whitis, director of physical plant
• Paul Schore, mayor of the Village of Bourbonnais
• Dale Piggush, general contractor
• Matt Smith, director of recreation services and building director
• Jill Bowling, wife of John Bowling
• John Bowling, university president
• Chelsea Speas, senior
• Tai Peachey, sophomore
• Cameron Mason, sophomore
• Sayer Smith, freshman

 For two hours, the campus community explored the 168,000-square foot SLRC's many features, including:

• An eight-lane, 200-meter running track with Mondo surface. The track’s surface is identical to the one used for 2012 Olympic competitions, and Olivet is one of only a few schools in Illinois with this type of track.
• Two pools, including a 10-lane competition pool with a constant depth of two meters. The first home meet for Olivet’s new women’s swim team is on Friday, December 14.
• A four-story rock climbing wall, one of the largest among U.S. universities.
• 72,000-square foot field house with running track and four basketball courts
• Workout facilities
• Large game area
• Spacious central student lounge
• Classrooms and offices

Promoting community life and helping students create relationships, experiences, and memories are two of the stated purposes for the facility. With a focus on good health, fitness, fun, and intercollegiate athletic competition, administrators believe students will benefit from this investment for many years to come.

"A project of this size and scope is the work of many hands," John Bowling said. "I want to express my appreciation to everyone who had a part in the planning, construction, furnishing, and programming for this building."

Planning of the SLRC began in 2009, and the facility has been under construction for the past 18 months. Architects for the project are Buchar, Mitchell, Bajt Architects, Inc. of Joliet, Illinois, and the construction manager and general contractor is Piggush Simoneau, Inc. of Kankakee, Illinois.
--Olivet Nazarene University

 

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