ALBUQUERQUE, NM -- The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced plans to build a new student recreation center to replace its currently outdated facility and be more competitive with its peer institutions, according to the school’s student affairs committee.

The new center is expected to cost $48 million, and will include a climbing wall, indoor running track, cardio and weight rooms, outdoor leisure pool, multipurpose rooms for indoor fitness such as martial arts, yoga, spin classes, indoor soccer and new locker rooms.

Student groups conducted research to determine the student body’s expectations for a new rec center.

“The students surveyed predominantly felt that a new rec center would increase student employment opportunities, reduce overcrowding and attract and retain more students at UNM,” Eliseo Torres, vice president for student affairs, said in a statement.

Van H. Gilbert Architect PC, Opsis Architecture, and Brailsford and Dunlavey were retained to plan and design the new rec center. Construction is expected to begin within a year.

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