A Grand Opening
By Stephanie Mostaccio
When the doors opened and a mass of people swarmed in during the grand opening of the new Student Recreation Center (SRC) on Wednesday, Oct. 19, it marked a new beginning in recreational activity at Rider.
President Mordechai Rozanski and several other individuals who guided this project cut the ribbon that stretched across the main entrance at approximately 12:30 p.m., officially unveiling the new SRC to the community.
“The SRC is a fabulous facility that provides much needed recreation, fitness and wellness space for our students,” Rozanski said. “It will play a vital role in strengthening the community life and spirit of the Rider campus.”
The new SRC is a 55,000-square-foot facility that houses numerous amenities for physical and social activity. The first floor comprises a 3,600-square-foot fitness center, a group exercise room and three multi-purpose playing courts for volleyball, basketball and tennis. On the second floor, there is a three-lane jogging track and a 1,100-square-foot game room.
The facility also includes a conference room that can hold up to 40 people and a 9,000-square-foot atrium that contains a 65-inch plasma TV as well as the snack bar Kaplan Express.
Rozanski said he is pleased with the new facility.
“I am delighted with this new state-of-the-art building which is a visible sign of our University’s renewal and our commitment to our current and future students,” he said.
Michael Curran, an associate professor for the Department of Teacher Education said he is also thrilled with the innovative recreation center.
“I think it is a great improvement to the campus,” he said. “It is a great facility for the students.”
David Oliver, the director of the College of Liberal Arts, Education and Sciences, said this is a “great day” for students.
In his speech, Perry Whiteley, the president of Student Government Association (SGA), said the new SRC will improve the college experience.
“The addition of the new state-of-the-art facility has created a new hub for student life,” he said.
The new facility will unite the campus, said sophomore Alexandra Samuel
“I really think it is going to bring people on campus closer together,” she said.
Samuel attributed this unity to the SRC’s close proximity to the residence halls.
Senior Esty Juncal said the new recreation center enhances the college environment.
“I feel like the campus is complete now,” she said.
Planning for the new recreational facility began several years ago with Rider’s former president, Bart Ludeke.
According to Paul Lang, the chairman of Rider’s Board of Trustees, Ludeke proposed the plans to the Board and started the fundraising.
Rozanski continued Luedeke’s vision by creating a building that met the University’s needs and by raising a balance of funds for the facility.
However, Lang added that the creation of the new SRC was a challenging process.
“After all the years of dreaming and planning, the arm twisting and check writing, and the endless construction meetings and deadlines, we have this beautiful building dedicated to
the wellness and enjoyment of Rider students,” he said.
Funding for the new facility was the most taxing, according to Lang.
The recreation center, Phase I, and the Atrium, Phase II, cost about $8 million. Many alumni made donations to fund the project.
“We cannot make these current and future investments without the continuing and expanding support of our generous alumni and friends,” Rozanski said.
The groundbreaking for the new SRC was on April 1, 2004. Construction began in late August 2004.
Rozanski said it has been a “remarkably fast” construction schedule.
“We are delighted that we will be opening the SRC on schedule this fall as we promised,” he said.
Rozanski added that future renovations will be made to the Rider campus.
“We intend to continue the renewal of the University, creating new or renovating existing spaces that will positively and substantially impact the qualities of Rider University’s students’ learning, living and social experiences,” he said.
