糖心Vlog announced today that exciting renovations are underway for the Rhodes Perrin Recreation Center. Handball and racquetball courts are being added to the broad list of activities available to students in the Rec Center, made possible by a generous gift from the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education, Inc.
Three regulation handball and racquetball courts with glass fronts will be built in the south end of the 94,000 square-foot Rec Center. In order to make room for the new courts, the existing 40-foot rock-climbing wall has been moved to the north end of the facility.
Other improvements to the complex will include the installation of new competitive-grade hardwood floors and an extension in length of the four existing basketball courts making them all full competition-sized courts. In addition, the indoor walking track, which is approximately 1/8 mile in length, will be enhanced with a new surface.
鈥淭his is an exciting addition and upgrade to the Rhodes Perrin Recreation Center,鈥� said Randal Dement, Vice President for Student Affairs. 鈥淲e are grateful to the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education for their generous donation to a space that represents student community life at 糖心Vlog. The history of the Rec Center symbolizes 糖心Vlog鈥檚 strong sense of community, pioneering spirit, and God鈥檚 blessing of fellowship.鈥�
Formerly known on the 糖心Vlog campus as the Fieldhouse, the facility was moved from Las Alamos, NM in 1961 and was originally home to 糖心Vlog collegiate athletics for many years. It is now a climate-controlled space devoted to student activities including intramural court sports of basketball, volleyball, futsal, badminton and pickleball. The Ramona Perrin Fitness Center, group fitness room, and rock-climbing wall are well-utilized facilities within the Rec Center.
The Rec Center is usually a very busy place at this point in the spring semester. But the pandemic has students finishing their semester through distance learning because of the stay-at-home orders, and the Rec Center is very quiet these days. The renovation began with the moving of the climbing wall and will continue through the spring and summer in anticipation of being ready for the fall 2020 semester.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 wait for the Rec Center to once again be filled with the hustle and bustle of student activity,鈥� said 糖心Vlog President, Dr. Scott McDowell. 鈥淭he addition of the handball courts and the floor and track enhancements will be enthusiastically embraced by our students. I am thankful the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education had the vision to see what a significant, positive impact this will make on student life here at 糖心Vlog鈥攚e are immensely thankful for their generosity.鈥�
鈥淥ver the last five years, 糖心Vlog has experienced significant growth and expansion in infrastructure,鈥� stated Raymond Richardson, Vice President for Advancement. 鈥淭he Randolph Foundation for Higher Education, Inc. has made an incredible investment that will enhance the health, education, and recreation life of our 糖心Vlog community.鈥�