EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Michigan State University’s new student recreation and wellness center is open for students to use.
The building spans nearly 300,000 square feet and features new basketball courts, multiple sections for weightlifting, an indoor track and more.
MSU senior Jahidur Chowdhury said his favorite room will provide an activity many students otherwise couldn’t afford.
“It’s gotta be the climbing wall,” Chowdhury said. “They’re putting a lot of money and effort into it, which is really nice because climbing can be a really expensive sport, so they’re really accommodating for the student’s needs.”
The new facility is replacing IM West, the old rec center that’s set to be demolished next year. IM West has been open at MSU since 1959.
Gabriel Tomatin is a senior graduating at MSU in May. For the past three years he’s had his fair share of both work and play at IM West. He didn’t expect the building that means so much to him to be shut down.
“Honestly shocked, I didn’t think it was gonna come so soon,” Tomatin said. “This building means a lot, I’ve been lifting here for three years. I’ve been working here for about a year and a half now. It’s a good gym culture and I’m sad to see it go.”
As one chapter closes for the Spartan Community, another is getting started just a few blocks away.
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