I recommend updating both Ahearn and the Nat to make it more of a "on-campus" rec center with a cardio room, a stretch room and a small weights/strength room. Right now, for those of us who work on campus, the rec center is not that convenient for lunch time workouts, but this building is close to the Union and other gathering places. Also, the male changing rooms and showers are close to unsanitary, if not already and are in need of major renovations. The University of Illinois has a nice system of two rec centers, a larger one on the edge of campus and a smaller, more convenient one, near the center of campus. With the plans to renovate Memorial Stadium, this would make for a nice broader impact project. Imagine having the Alumni center, the welcome center, the Union and a recreational facility all across from one another. A win, win, win, win in my opinion. For more impact, you could even close 17th street north of the garage and make an even larger pedestrian complex with seating and gathering spaces.
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