This year, Saint Louis University made yet another step in improving the souls, minds and bodies of its students.
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Phase 1 of the renovations last Friday, Jan. 26, marked the end of more than four months of work-and the beginning of another four to eight months of overhauling-the Simon Recreation Center.
At the ceremony, several thanks were said and plaques awarded. University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., spoke, as did Student Government Association President Evan Krauss.
Krauss credited former SGA President Cari Johns’ administration with passing the resolution to build the addition, fulfilling a promise she had made to the student body last year.
Cramped space and long waits for equipment may have deterred SLU students away from the Rec Center in the past; but the renovated cardio area boasts 19,000 square feet, a juice bar and sleek flat-screen televisions.
Mike Reddy, sophomore, said, “It makes me want to workout more often than I already do .which is everyday anyways.”
Kurt Fultz, who works at the Rec Center said, “It was just a big, empty, dark smelly garage.”
Students have been praising the changes all week and will be seeing more improvements.
Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Eric Anderson, said the basement area is not totally complete-aerobic studios, lockers, a 9-foot traversing wall and an elevator are still being installed.
Phase II will be completed by fall and will include a sleek and modern entrance and renovation of the upstairs.
Renderings by the Lawrence Group can be seen around the juice bar illustrating the plans of these upcoming improvements.
Originally built in 1982, the Simon Center cost about $5 million to build.
The renovations in the basement alone cost more than $5 million.
Hossein Dastgah, director of campus recreation, said “the vote on the Student Activity fee is the reason” all the transformations were able to take place.
Dastgah said for those who are searching for that job to keep them financially afloat, the expansion needs more workers and the rec. is still looking for more students.
