Fitness center redevelopment approved

On Friday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a $6 million redevelopment and expansion of UNMC’s campus fitness facility.

Construction likely will begin in December and be completed by December 2015.

The existing fitness facility, known as the Center for Healthy Living, opened in 1996 inside the 64,755-square-foot Student Life Center on the east edge of the Omaha campus. Approximately 3,000 faculty, staff and students use the facility and equipment, intramural programs and fitness classes.

“As our emphasis on campus wellness has increased, so, too, have student concerns for improved fitness facilities,” said Jayme Nekuda, director of benefits and work life programs at UNMC. “Thanks to generous private funding and considerable student input we’re ready to move the project forward.”

Longtime UNMC supporters Ruth and Bill Scott are the lead donors on the project, which was initiated by the UNMC Student Senate. The Scotts’ generosity has transformed the UNMC campus, leading to new buildings for the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Public Health and Pharmacy. They also provided the lead gifts for the UNMC Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza and the campus art feature.

The proposed project includes:

• Adding a new 6,525-square-foot addition to the Student Life Center building that relocates the entry of the Center for Healthy Living from the south side of the building to the north side, facing the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza.
• Renovating 11,845 square feet on two floors in the existing facility to provide larger strength and fitness machine areas; additional dedicated group fitness activity areas; permanent areas for stretching and table tennis, which is popular with international students; and larger locker rooms with private changing areas and showers.
• Replacing the gymnasium’s synthetic floor with a wood sports floor for user comfort and safety.
• Installing outside bicycle lockers for UNMC personnel who want to securely store their bicycles.

Students are strong advocates of the project, said Student Senate President Krupa Savalia. Student leaders, including third-year College of Medicine student Eric Nagengast, grandson of the Scotts, have worked alongside administrators to survey the campus about their fitness center needs and helped with the conceptual programming. The project is one of the Student Senate’s top priorities.

“The additions and renovations will help us better meet the demand for wellness activities and increase opportunities for student interaction on our campus,” Savalia said. “We are grateful for the generous donations made to improve our Center for Healthy Living.”