Providing a Healthy Outlet for Students

St. Louis College of Pharmacy realizes one of the best ways to combat stress is through physical activity. Whether it is a quick run or a game of soccer, there is no better way to decompress.

While enrolled at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, students complete a rigorous academic program. In order to help students achieve balance and enhance their college experience, the school is building a new 190,000-square-foot, seven-story student center.

“Our students work really hard and they need a healthy outlet for stress as well as active options for them to engage in on campus,” said Jill Harter, director of athletics, fitness and recreation at the school. “One of the goals of this facility is that our students will have a multitude of choices as far as activities whether it is fitness, recreation or intercollegiate athletics.”

As the student population has grown over the years, the college developed a strategic plan that identified space issues on campus. A top priority was expanded recreational space.

“Our previous facility was one gym with a small loft area that was our fitness center,” added Harter. “We found that as our athletic programs expanded, there was less and less time for the rest of our student body to be able to use that gymnasium for recreation. Being able to serve both of those constituents at the same time was very important to us.”

The new student center will serve as a multipurpose facility featuring a large dining hall, kitchen, offices, intramural gymnasium, recreation center with a 200-meter indoor track and residential facilities. The building’s expected completion date is December 2016, just in time for the start of the spring semester.