A temporary recreation facility will be built on a portion of Palmer Field to provide the University of Michigan community with continuous access to indoor recreation space during the construction of the new Central Campus Recreation Building.
The Board of Regents approved the $9.5 million project during its May 19 meeting. In March, the board approved the schematic design and authorized construction for a new CCRB.
Martino Harmon, vice president for student life, and Geoff Chatas, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said the new CCRB demonstrates the university’s commitment to meeting the critical health and well-being needs of the tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff who use the facility.
Demolition of CCRB, 401 Washtenaw Ave., is expected to begin in January, with the temporary facility operational before the current CCRB closes.
“We want to ensure that the many U-M community members who rely on the CCRB for staying active, socializing and taking care of their health and well-being can continue to do so in a convenient, accessible location,” Harmon said. “In the meantime, we’ll be working tirelessly to ensure the new, full-sized facility is well worth the wait.”
The temporary facility, which will be located north of the current CCRB, will contain approximately 23,000 square feet of primarily strength and cardio equipment and a small indoor walking track, which is roughly 90 percent of what is available at the current CCRB for those popular activities.
The facility will include heating and air conditioning systems, be fully accessible and meet all safety requirements per building codes.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to create this temporary recreation facility to help serve the needs of our students and members during the time of construction,” said Mike Widen, director of recreational sports.
“We knew it was important to be able to provide these opportunities for those living on and around that area of campus during the construction period.”
Students and Recreational Sports members will have access to the Palmer Field temporary facility using their M-Card or Rec card.
In addition, Recreational Sports will continue to provide services at the Intramural Sports Building, North Campus Recreation Building, the Sports Coliseum, outdoor recreation fields and some limited swimming opportunities at Canham Natatorium.
The temporary facility will be removed when the new CCRB is complete and the site restored as an outdoor field space. The scope of work includes all the necessary site work and site utilities required to support the facility. There will be no permanent impact on parking from this project.
Funding for the temporary facility will be provided by university reserves. The construction cash flow may be provided, all or in part, by bond proceeds or increasing the commercial paper issuance under the commercial paper program, secured by a pledge of general revenues, and authorized by the Board of Regents.
The project is expected to provide an average of 42 on-site construction jobs.
Tianyun Zhang
Will the temporary facility have basketball courts?