JCJ Architecture, Moody Nolan complete UCONN's Student Recreation Center
By David Malone, Associate Editor
Designed by JCJ Architecture in association with Moody Nolan, the University of Connecticut's new 212,575-sf Student Recreation Center was designed to offer the schools student body comprehensive programs, facilities, and services that foster personal growth and wellness.
Designed and built at the epicenter of the university's 105-acre Storrs campus, the project replaces the existing 25,000-sf Rec Center that had grown inadequate and outdated. The new facility includes basketball, racquetball, and multi-activity courts; cardiovascular and strength training areas; multiple fitness studios; and an aquatics center with two swimming pools, a climbing center, a running track, and meeting and support areas for intramural and club sports. An Outdoor Pursuits center serves as a space for students to partake in outside instructional experiences and team building exercises.
The team worked closely with administrators and student stakeholder's groups to design the project. Preliminary design workshops focused on developing a foundation for a facility located in the heart of the campus that would also deliver on a wide range of objectives, such as making the Center accessible and easy to navigate.