Niagara University Completes Recreation Center Renovations

Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of $11.5 million in upgrades to the Kiernan Recreation Center, according to a news release. Renovations included an 18,000-square-foot, two-story addition that plays home to a weight room, dance studios, sports medicine suite, storage, locker rooms, team meeting spaces, and administrative space.

“The renovated Kiernan Center will provide our students, and the entire community, with a facility that anchors our commitment to excellence and touches every aspect of a student’s life on our campus,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University President. “The Kiernan Center enhances the living-learning environment for our students whether through academic programming, intramural and club sports, or as a place for students to maintain their physical well-being through individual or group exercise.”

The new facility features an indoor track, free weights, a swimming pool, basketball courts, an aerobic dance area, and other weight-training equipment. The facility sees about 2,000 individual users each week, the news release reports. It also includes academic space for the College of Education’s Special Olympics programming, theater students, sports management, and R.O.T.C. training.

Other renovations include replacing the front gym’s floor, renovations to Scaffidi gym, and infrastructure enhancements like the pool area’s filtration system, according to the news release.

Funding for the project came via a $1-million grant from the New York State Higher Education Capital (HECap) matching program, other private donations, and university investments. The university partnered with LeChase Construction Services on the project.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • California High School Completes Construction on New Makerspace Facility

    Lynbrook High School, part of the Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) in San Jose, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Makerspace Building, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for the building’s design and Blach Construction for building services.

  • Career Readiness Starts in Elementary School, and the Learning Environment Matters

    When educators talk about career readiness, the conversation often begins in high school. We discuss internships, industry credentials, dual-credit courses, career and technical education programs, and partnerships with employers.