Open house to discuss UW-Madison’s SERF project
A view of the new Southeast Recreational Facility to be built on Dayton Street along the East Campus Mall. The red line through the windows is a running track, and the incline is a sprint ramp. Courtesy of UW–Madison Recreational Sports
The community is invited to a public informational meeting to discuss the UW–Madison Southeast Recreational Facility (SERF) replacement project at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Gordon Dining and Event Center, 770 W. Dayton St.
Attendees will learn what will be included in the project, what the building will look like, storm water management aspects, and the anticipated construction schedule.
The project, located at 715 W. Dayton St., involves deconstructing the existing structure and replacing it with a 30 percent larger building on the site. The goal is to create a facility that allows for a greater understanding of what fitness means and what fitness looks like as part of an expanded student life experience. The flexible design will accommodate changing trends in wellness and will provide opportunities for Recreational Sports to expand its program offerings in this busy part of campus.
The open house will begin with a 30-45 minute overview by UW Facilities Planning & Management, Rec Sports and Athletics representatives, with questions and answers to follow.
The goal is to create a facility that allows for a greater understanding of what fitness means and what fitness looks like as part of an expanded student life experience.
The project will include new program space for the Division of Recreational Sports (Rec Sports) and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. The new SERF will house expanded and enhanced open recreation spaces and include a new shared 50-meter competition pool and a separate diving well. This new competition pool will be the home site of the UW–Madison Swimming and Diving program and is designed to meet current Big Ten standards for competition pools.
In addition to creating new opportunities for the Rec Sports and Athletics programs, an expanded pool and deck space also creates opportunities for increased community and recreational use, including lap swimming, instructional programs and fitness classes, along with spectator seating for swimming and diving competitions.
Other expanded and enhanced open recreation spaces include: weights, strength, cardio and functional fitness areas; eight basketball courts divided into a separate 4 court + 2 court + 2 court gym arrangement with each gymnasium striped for a variety of sports; an indoor walking and jogging track; several multipurpose rooms supporting fitness and group exercise classes; two racquetball courts; and an administrative area.
An expanded, flexible facility design will accommodate changing trends and program interests and will also provide opportunities for Rec Sports to offer accessible facilities for participants of all abilities.
More information and images are located at the UW Rec Sports SERF Replacement project website.