New Recreation Center Challenges Students to Greater Heights ...

On August 31, the Mines communitycelebrated the Grand Opening of itsnew Student Recreation Center withan afternoon of contests and fitnessactivities. At the ribbon-cuttingceremony Mines President Bill Scogginssaid, “The Student Recreation Centeris truly an accomplishment that theentire campus community can take pridein and it stands as a symbol of Mines’forward momentum.”The campus’ newest landmark islocated just south of the Ben H.Parker Student Center. Approachingthe building from the east, your eyesare drawn to an impressive pinnacledfeature clad in glass and aluminum.Stepping inside, you get a sense ofthe scale of the facility: Walkways andbalconies encircle a high-ceilingedatrium-style lobby, and a climbing walltowers to the ceiling.Walk a little further and you can seedown the length of the lobby to a juicebar and lounge. Table-and-chair seatingnear the bar, a large flat-screen TV,foosball, pool tables, and several sofascreate a relaxing space where studentscan refuel, unwind and socialize.Adjacent is the Lockridge Arena, a2,500-seat venue for varsity basketballand volleyball—it can also doubleas a venue for special events andother sports activities. The arenaaccommodates three full basketballcourts, each of which can be netted offfor team practice—a vast improvementover the single court that three varsityteams have been sharing in VolkGymnasium.On the second floor, the 5,000square foot Adolph Coors Fitness Labis equipped with treadmills, exercisebikes, elliptical trainers, rowingmachines, plate-loaded equipment andfree weights. The room, which comescomplete with TVs and a sound system,commands a spectacular view easttoward Table Mountain.Windows on the south wall of thePlaced near the entry of the Student RecreationCenter, this sculpture of a North Plains Indianelder (top) welcomes all-comers to Mines. Thebronze casting was a gift from John and ErikaLockridge. In addition to Marvin the Miner, theribbon cutting ceremony included (above, left toright) Vice Chairman of Mines Board of Trusteesand Foundation Board Chairman and PresidentDavid Wagner, Student Trustee Aprill Nelson,Student Body President Casey Morse, MinesPresident Bill Scoggins, and Vice Presidentfor Student Life and Dean of Students HaroldCheuvront.Colorado School of Mines 19