By: Drew Chamberlain
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — The Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) building at the University of Arkansas is set to undergo significant renovations aimed at modernizing the facility and enhancing its functionality for students and faculty.
University Recreation announced the $24 million renovation on Thursday, focusing on a massive infrastructure change on campus.
The 15-month-long renovation will add an additional 13,000 square feet of the fitness center, updated fitness equipment, new locker rooms, and new multi-purpose areas.
Marketing Coordinator for University Recreation, Arden Elliott, said the renovation will temporarily displace fitness areas and classrooms located in HPER.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a struggle during the renovation, but we do have everything running. So really just bear with us for a little bit, change is going to be necessary, but it’s going to be a great outcome in the end,” Arden said.
The HPER is the largest recreation center on the University of Arkansas’ campus, the renovation will displace student’s and faculty’s ability to exercise. “We still have the UREC Fitness Center in the Union, so that’s going to still be available to all students. Classrooms will be available as well on both the third and the first floor,” Arden said.
According to a press release from University Recreation, administration has assured that efforts will be made to minimize disruptions to ongoing activities during the renovation process.
Alternative arrangements will be made to accommodate classes, programs, and recreational activities that would otherwise be affected by the construction work.
The $24 million funding comes from general obligation bonds and existing facilities fees. According to Elliott, student action drove the decision to renovate. “It’s the students who’ve been at the forefront of this entire renovation, I know that the students really wanted some more fitness opportunities on campus,” Arden said.
The fitness and exercise areas aren’t the only focus of the renovation. The rebuild will also prioritize multi-use areas for students and faculty to make the interior and exterior of the building more inviting. Specifically, the inclusion of increased exterior lighting.
“If you look at the HPER now, there are barely any windows at all. So the whole exterior is going to be redone as well, and that’s really awesome because we’re going to get a lot of light and a lot of natural light in the building, which I think is great, especially for the student body’s well-being,” Arden said.
All other University Recreation programming and services won’t be affected by the renovation. This includes the UREC Fitness Center in the Arkansas Union, UREC Sports Complex, UREC Tennis Center, and the Tsa La Gi Bike Park. All services will be open and operating during normal business hours during the renovation. The swimming pool in the HPER building will also be open and operating during the 15-month rebuild.
For more information regarding the renovation, updates can be found on the HPER renovation webpage.