In its last meeting of the 2021 calendar year, Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees authorized planning for a new intramural recreational facility that will support students’ health and wellness. 

The new recreation center will replace IM West once complete and will be located on Shaw Lane, between Birch and Harrison roads. IM West will be open throughout construction to serve the Spartan community.

In June, the university implemented a phased-in student recreational facility fee to improve MSU intermural recreational facilities. Input from the campus community will continue to be solicited and considered during the planning phase of the new facility.

“Amid several ongoing improvements to our campus community, a new recreational facility for our Spartan community is one I am eager to see unfold,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. “This new facility will ensure students, as well as employees, have access to the wellness tools they need to improve their overall physical and mental well-being. These principles are the bedrock of our strategic plan.”

Trustees also authorized the university to proceed with the construction of two new recreational turf fields. These fields are one of the first tangible developments from the student recreational fee and will support an average of 8,500 students per semester for various recreational activities, including intermural sports and student-led events, and 400-500 club athletes of sports ranging from lacrosse to ultimate frisbee. 

Construction on the project, budgeted for $13 million, is expected to begin in March 2022 and be completed before the fall 2022 semester. 

“Knowing the reciprocal impact between physical, mental and emotional health, we are excited to see these projects move forward,” said Senior Vice President for Student Life and Engagement Vennie Gore. “This is a long-awaited improvement for our student health and wellness portfolio and will increase access for generations of Spartans.”

As trustees closed out the 2021 calendar year, they also recognized 38 students with a fall 2021 Board of Trustees Award. The award is given to graduating seniors with the highest scholastic average, a 4.0 GPA.

Other board activities included:

• Authorization to issue a general revenue century bond. Once issued, the bond proceeds would be used to support the goals of the university strategic plan.
• A presentation from internationally renowned MSU researcher and director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Kimberly Dodd. Dodd’s presentation focused on the laboratory and its position as a leader in One Health, a CDC-led initiative to improve health outcomes for people by bringing together human, animal and environmental health experts to control public health threats.
• A resolution recognizing the MSU Board of Trustees supports the fundamental right of its employees to form unions and bargain collectively.
• Authorization to plan for improvements in the MSU Museum to upgrade climate control systems which will help preserve and protect future exhibitions. 
• Authorization to plan for accessibility and infrastructure improvements to Spartan Stadium.

The next board meeting will be held on Feb. 11, 2022.