Student Fitness Center opens to positive reviews

More than one thousand University of Detroit Mercy students, faculty, staff and friends visited the University’s new Student Fitness Center following its grand opening ceremony, Sept. 20.

Top: The Student Fitness Center overlooks a newly landscaped Kassab Mall.
Bottom: Students now have a larger fitness facility and more equipment to access for their exercise workouts.

Many students commented on the bright and airy feel to the 40,000 sq. ft. facility, which offers a gym with two courts, an elevated three-lane track, a group exercise room, a weight-lifting room and two rooms for cardiovascular work-outs, each with a full range of equipment. Several donors helped to obtain the exercise equipment for the building.

Located on the east side of the Engineering Building on the McNichols Campus, the brick building, designed to complement the architectural heritage of the campus, features a spacious lobby with a large span of windows overlooking Kassab Mall. TMP Architecture and Peter Basso Associates Inc. were the project designers.

With the completion of Phase I of the Student Fitness Center, the University is looking ahead to Phase II of the building. Phase II will add 22,500 square feet for a natatorium, which will include an 8-lane swimming pool built to NCAA specifications for competitive swimming. When completed, UDM will be in an excellent position to add Division I men’s and women’s swimming and related sports. The pool will also give UDM students another option for cardiovascular exercise.

Phase II will also encompass an attractive lobby area for events, offices, a concession area, an alumni boardroom and bleacher seating for approximately 250 spectators.

Currently, the Student Fitness Center is quickly becoming the center of activity where students can exercise, enjoy recreational team sports and spend leisure time with classmates and friends.

“The University is investing in campus facilities, infrastructure and technology so that we will be able to attract even more quality students in the region,” stated UDM President Antoine M. Garibaldi at the facility’s grand opening ceremony. “With facilities like this Student Fitness Center, we will be able to retain quality students here and from across the state of Michigan. We want this multi-purpose center to be a lively and energetic place where students will experience university life to the fullest.”

For information on contributing to Phase II of the Student Fitness Center, please contact: Barbara Milbauer, interim vice president for University Advancement, 313-993-1025, milabaubs@udmercy.edu.

UDM Board Chair John Lewis (front row, third from left) and UDM President Antoine Garibaldi prepare to cut the jump rope to officially open the new Student Fitness Center, Sept. 20. More than 1,000 people attended the opening day events, including UDM trustees, students, faculty, staff, alumni and other guests.

Left: Students, faculty and staff pour into the Student Fitness Center for tours and activities following the grand opening ceremony, Sept. 20.
Middle: UDM students sample the smoothies available at Tommy’s Café in the new Student Fitness Center.
Right: Students enjoy working out on the new Fitness Center track.

Great Things is published two times per year by University of Detroit Mercy Office of University Advancement. • Archived Issues • For more information, please call 313-993-1250 or e-mail udmgrad@udmercy.edu. • © 2012 University of Detroit Mercy