UWs Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center to be Dedicated March 3

A building dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the University of Wyoming’s recently renovated and expanded Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center is scheduled Thursday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. The celebration will take place in Half Acre’s historic west lobby.

Among those scheduled to speak at the ceremony are UW President Dick McGinity, UW Vice President for Student Affairs Sara Axelson, Campus Recreation Director Pat Moran, Associated Students of UW (ASUW) President Brian Schueler and former ASUW President Megan Degenfelder.

Following the ceremony, tours of the facility will be offered to the public.

Half Acre is home to Campus Recreation, which includes club and intramural sports, open recreation, group fitness, aquatics, wellness and the Outdoor Program. The facility, which hosts academic courses in areas such as kinesiology and health, and theater and dance, is used regularly by a variety of departments and groups.

The $31.4 million construction project began in spring 2013. The Wyoming State Legislature appropriated $15 million for the work, and $12 million in bond sale proceeds will be repaid by student fees. ASUW backed the fee increase and lobbied the Legislature to support the project.

New features of Half Acre include expanded cardio and weight training areas; increased group fitness studio space, including a dedicated cycling room; a multi-activity court gym for various indoor activities; a 38-foot climbing wall pinnacle with an extensive bouldering area; updated swimming pool area with a large heated spa; and a Wellness Center that incorporates many aspects of holistic wellness.

Groathouse Construction of Laramie received the contract for the major renovation and expansion of the facility. The architect/engineering firm of Tobin and Associates of Cheyenne, in association with Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative of Denver, designed the improvements.

For more information about Half Acre, go to www.uwyo.edu/rec/.