MADISON, Wis. â UW-Madison students will soon have a new place to relax, play, and exercise: A state-of-the-art recreation and wellbeing center.
The $113.2 million facility, named the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center, will be almost three times the size of the former Natatorium.
Construction began in the spring of this year and is expected to wrap up in 2023.
The center was partially funded by a gift of $20 million from Jim and Sue Bakke. Jim graduated from UW-Madison and is the CEO of Madison-based manufacturer Sub-Zero Group Inc.
âWe were inspired by the vision of a facility that could expand upon the incredible resource the Nicholas Recreation Center has come to be,â Jim Bakke said in a statement Thursday. âWe believe it is vital to support the mental and physical health of both UW students and the wider community.â
The center will include a 25-yard pool, ice arena, eight basketball courts, indoor track, massage therapy and meditation services, and a teaching kitchen.
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