Groundbreaking set for construction of new athletic facility

NEW PALTZ — The State University of New York at New Paltz will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, for the construction of a new 57,000 square-foot Athletic and Wellness center at the Elting Gymnasium.

The new Athletic and Wellness center is being developed just south of Elting Gymnasium and will ultimately be connected to it. Student activity spaces within the building will include a cardiovascular wellness center at one semi-circle end, and a weight training fitness center at the other end. These two areas will be connected with a window-lined walking/jogging track that will encircle a premium, competition wood gym floor. The court area will also serve as a practice area for many teams and general student activities.

“This is an exciting time for New Paltz,” said Stuart Robinson, director of athletics. “The new facility will not only meet the needs of our student-athletes and coaches, but also the campus community as a whole. It’s a huge step forward for the college and it puts us on par with many of the schools that we compete against.”

Also as a part of the project, a new west-side campus entrance will be built with additional parking. These changes are designed to ease traffic conditions in the Village of New Paltz. Overall, the project will be not only an asset to the college but also to the village.

The entire complex will be fully air-conditioned and designed to promote health and fitness for all. The project is estimated to cost $25 million and will be complete by November 2005.

Note to editors: Photograph renderings of the proposed Athletic and Wellness Center may be downloaded from the SUNY New Paltz Web site at www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/renderings.html.