A $98-million-dollar project at Purdue is nearing completion.
The France A. Cordova Recreational Sports Center officially opened this week; however, construction is not expected to be finished until next summer.
Director of Recreational Sports Howard Taylor says the building serves as a focal point on campus.
“This is a big building, it's huge. We talked about would it make sense to build a bunch of smaller buildings. That was an approach," he said. "After a lot of discussion the decision that was made was that we wanted a building that was kind of this 'wow,' when you walk in, it's just kind of this wow effect.”
Developers toured other co-rec facilities in Texas, Ohio, and Illinois to get ideas for the design.
Taylor says the facility was constructed with students’ interest and needs as the primary focus.
"I talked to some faculty and staff today who said there is some much to do and see," he said. "That was the goal is having the place where everybody can be comfortable and find the equipment and find the setting that's going to keep them coming back."
It is 450,000-square feet and includes two running tracks, several weight lifting areas, basketball courts, and rock climbing walls.
A dedication ceremony for the facility is Friday afternoon beginning at 3p.m.