{"id":60611,"date":"2016-08-08T12:00:20","date_gmt":"2016-08-08T17:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/?p=60611"},"modified":"2016-08-08T14:53:36","modified_gmt":"2016-08-08T19:53:36","slug":"um-begins-demolition-whirlpool-facility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web20.olemiss.edu\/news\/wordpress\/um-begins-demolition-whirlpool-facility\/","title":{"rendered":"UM Begins Demolition on Whirlpool Facility"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Demolition<\/a>

Demolition begins on the old Whirlpool plant, the future site of a new South Campus Recreation Center and Transportation Hub. Construction of the new facility is slated to begin in early 2017, with a fall 2018 opening. Photo by Thomas Graning\/Ole Miss Communications<\/p><\/div>\n

OXFORD, Miss. \u2013 The University of Mississippi Department of Campus Recreation<\/a> is expanding \u2013 in a huge way.<\/p>\n

As the university’s enrollment continues to increase, so does the use of its recreation facilities. To accommodate growth, construction will begin soon on a recreation center and transportation hub at the former Whirlpool factory south of Highway 6 on Chucky Mullins Drive.<\/p>\n

Demolition on part of the facility began earlier this month, and construction bids are slated to go out this fall, said Peter Tulchinsky, director of campus recreation. Construction on the $32 million project is expected to begin in early 2017.<\/p>\n

“The South Campus Recreation Center will be an outstanding resource for our students, faculty and staff in their pursuit of lifelong well-being,” Tulchinsky said. “It will provide a venue for bringing our community together and multiple participatory\u00a0opportunities for holistic wellness.<\/p>\n

“It will also serve as an important facility for student recruitment and retention at the university. The Department of Campus Recreation is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this project to fruition and is extremely grateful to the university’s leadership team for supporting this initiative.”<\/p>\n

The new facility will have\u00a0approximately 90,000\u00a0square feet of space for fitness and training, including a wellness suite, personal training studio, a climbing wall and bouldering area, three fitness studios, two basketball courts, one multipurpose court, a jogging track, outdoor equipment rentals, staff offices, a classroom with demonstration kitchen, and a food service venue.<\/p>\n

The facility\u00a0master plan includes intramural fields, and\u00a0sidewalks will connect\u00a0the recreation center to the South Campus Rail Trail via an outdoor plaza, said Ian Banner, director of facilities planning and university architect.<\/p>\n