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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 11/12/07 |
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In
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October 31, 2007 $33 million Kress Events Center open for fitness Grand opening set for Saturday By Kelly McBride
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's $33 million athletic and events complex will hold its official grand opening Saturday. But for the students and staff who work and play there, it already feels like home.
Athletes are practicing in their new facilities. Non-athletes are using new workout equipment. Chancellor Bruce Shepard has been seen scaling the walls — the new climbing wall.
It's the culmination of more than seven years of planning, millions of dollars in student fees and private donations — not to mention construction headaches as crews transformed the old Phoenix Sports Center.
"It's a huge step for us," UWGB athletics director Ken Bothof said. "We have, I think for years, always battled the facility question. How do we compare to the other institutions that Division I student athletes are considering attending?
"At least in the Horizon League, (this) places us in a great position."
But it's not just athletes who are happy about the new building.
All UWGB students can use the center's new cardio and weight equipment — once located in a storage area and a racquetball court, respectively — at no cost. Participation in intramural athletics has increased considerably, and university staff members are figuring out what non-athletic events — such as concerts — can be held at the venue.
"It'll really round out our overall offerings for out-of-classroom learning," said Brenda Amenson-Hill, assistant dean for campus life. "(We're) really promoting a healthier lifestyle for all students."
Getting here wasn't always easy.
Early concepts of the center called for a much larger facility with a capacity of 9,000 to 10,000 people, which could have brought men's basketball home games to campus.
The completed facility has a capacity of 4,000, so the men's team — which draws up to 5,000 spectators per game — will continue to play its games at the Resch Center. The women's basketball team will play at the new facility; its first game is this weekend.
Scaling back the project was crucial for obtaining community support, Shepard said.
"It was a very different concept, one that probably would've competed directly with the Resch Center," he said. "I understand why there was a desire to bring the men's program to campus ... (but) we were going to lose the whole project."
Defining the scope of the new center wasn't the only challenge.
UWGB students voted to increase their student segregated fees to what became the highest in the UW System, partly to help pay for the new facility. Students who would graduate before the new center was built still voted yes.
"The original plan was for us to come up with things the university needed going into the 21st century, looking 10 years ahead of when we were there," said Brian Gold, a 1999 UWGB alumnus and former Student Government Association president.
"The students from 10 years ago through now, they really stepped up to the plate, both financially and (with) their leadership."
Although those students couldn't enjoy the facilities while attending UWGB, they'll have a chance to now — at least on a limited basis. The university is offering a limited-time free fitness membership for alumni who graduated from December 2000 through May 2007. Those who graduated before December 2000 qualify for a discounted rate.
The 175,000-square-foot events center isn't the only facility change on campus. Crews also are working on expanding and improving the University Union. Both could be important steps toward making the university's Growth Agenda a reality, officials and students say.
Shepard hopes to increase enrollment by about 2,200 students — up from around 5,400 now — during the next 10 years.
"I think it's going to attract a lot more students, because the facility is so great ... and it's free," said Student Government Association president Sara Duginske, a UWGB senior. "There's so much you can do."
If you go
Grand opening events at the Kress Events Center:
Friday:
Saturday:
Nov. 10
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