From major rebuilds to innovative renovations, these four universities are rebuilding campus recreation with student well-being, accessibility and sustainability in mind.
Many campus recreation centers are undergoing a transformation, and not just in terms of equipment or square footage. As student expectations shift toward full-body wellness, sustainability and community, universities are rethinking how these spaces can better serve them.
These innovative renovations aren’t just about repairs or upgrades but about creating environments to reflect the needs of campus. Whether it’s through complete rebuilds, targeted overhauls or adapting existing structures, these schools are making student needs their top priorities.
For Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), this vision meant starting from scratch. Rather than investing in expensive infrastructural updates to aging facilities, these universities opted for brand new facilities to meet long-term student needs.
Marcus Jackson, the director of Campus Recreation at MSU, said their decision was driven by three main factors: outdated infrastructure, limited space and the desire to expand offerings for a growing campus community. They decided on what to offer through focus groups, surveys and feedback sessions with students.
The new 293,000-square-foot facility is slated to open in spring 2026. Designed with flexibility and future expansion in mind, the space will include engaging features like sports simulators, martial arts rooms and a table tennis alcove. An indoor track, climbing and bouldering walls, a 50-meter pool and ample multipurpose space will also support a variety of student interests and activities.
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The center will also prioritize sustainability with water conservation measures and carbon emissions reduction intended to meet LEED certification standards — all ultimately working toward MSU’s theme of sustainable health.
Above all, Jackson emphasized the importance of collaboration between all involved in the project. “Constant communication between builders, campus leadership and the primary users of the space is necessary to ensure the impact on others is recognized and maximized to provide the best possible outcome,” he said.
Pitt also has a new facility under construction slated to open in fall 2025. Dorothy Stromdahl, the associate director of Facilities and Operations, said this project was driven by a 2017 assessment which revealed student satisfaction with existing rec facilities and services was below 50%.
Stromdahl explained the largest existing fitness space was on top of a famously steep hill, creating a significant barrier and deterring many students from using the recreation facility. To address this problem, the new center will be centrally located between the upper and lower sides of campus.
“By removing physical and psychological barriers, the new facility is set to transform how students experience health and wellness on campus,” said Stromdahl. “It will focus strongly on welcoming and supporting beginners as well as seasoned participants.”
The new center will offer a comprehensive approach to well-being. With over 65,000-square-feet of fitness space, the facility also features an aquatics center, an eSports room, seven studios for a boutique-style workout experience and 10 distinct fitness zones.
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Another highlight is the Sky Track, an indoor track giving students a 360-degree view of Pittsburgh. Below that is the Sky Gymnasium, versatile court space also with views of the city.
Even beyond recreation, the facility will prioritize holistic wellness through various services and programs. A new healthy dining hall will offer nutritious meal options from three different kitchens.
The Wellness Suite will include a reflection room, relaxation space and an outdoor terrace — providing spaces for both mental and emotional rest and rejuvenation.
Throughout the building process, Stromdahl said her team learned the value of building the team alongside the facility. “At Pitt, we’re not just constructing a building, we’re shaping a new department,” she said.
They’ve been proactive with their staffing, ensuring a prepared team before opening rather than after. By growing their team from eight to 20 during the construction phase, the team has been able to contribute to the building’s design and learn operational systems in advance, creating a smoother transition into full operation.
While MSU and Pitt chose large-scale overhauls, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) took a more focused approach. Built in 1992, the Campus Recreation Center hadn’t gone through a significant renovation since 2014, and areas like the locker rooms were showing their age.
Amy Lanham, the director of Campus Recreation at UNL, said the locker rooms were one of the biggest concerns — not because they were unclean but because they were stuck in the past with features like group showers and metal lockers.
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“I would jokingly say to the students that if they wanted to go to 1992, they could just follow me to the locker rooms,” said Lanham. “They just weren’t using them. They were clean but very outdated.”
The renovation, completed in January 2025, focused on three key goals: modernizing and resizing the locker rooms, expanding fitness space, and adding universal access to the pool. The updates included four inclusive locker rooms, infrared saunas, updated bathroom amenities and more than 3,000 square feet of additional strength and fitness space.
Lanham said strong communication early in the process was essential. “Bring up issues of concern with everyday operational aspects as part of the design process,” she said. “Things may look or sound good, but in the end, they have to hold up to member use and be able to be cared for by staff.”
At Augusta University (AU), growing student interest in outdoor recreation prompted a different kind of expansion. Over the past five years, AU has seen steady growth in demand for outdoor programs, leading to the innovative renovation of an unused on-campus day care facility into a new home for outdoor adventure.
Bear Welmaker, the coordinator of Outdoor Recreation at AU, said the project focused on building a space that met current student needs while anticipating future growth. “Once finished, the new facility will serve as a hub for outdoor recreation, providing a welcoming and well-equipped environment for all who wish to explore and enjoy the outdoors,” he said.
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Highlights of the new facility include an indoor bouldering gym, a 50-foot outdoor climbing tower and a multi-level challenge course — all designed to foster teamwork, problem-solving and personal growth. It will also offer dedicated space for bike maintenance and storage for outdoor equipment such as kayaks, paddleboards and camping gear.
Sustainability was another major consideration when designing the new space. AU incorporated local flora into the surrounding landscape to beautify the space, support native ecosystems and help create a deeper connection between students and the environment.
AU’s campus rec team found that planning, flexibility and student involvement were key to a successful renovation. Welmaker added that budget management and strict safety standards were non-negotiables throughout the process.
“We believe that fostering a sense of community and personal growth through these experiences is essential for student development and engagement,” he said.
From total rebuilds to targeted updates and outdoor-focused expansions, these innovative renovations reflect the changing role of campus recreation. As students increasingly seek out spaces that support holistic well-being, community connection and engaging activities, universities are responding with thoughtful, future-focused design.
While every project looks different, they all share a common goal: to make recreation more inclusive and impactful for current and future students.
