Lincoln University and Jefferson City, Missouri, Plan Wellness, Multiuse Center

The Jefferson City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation Commission and Lincoln University have signed a memorandum of agreement to build and jointly operate a wellness and multiuse facility on the Lincoln campus.

The agreement envisions an $11.1 million facility--$6.5 million paid by the city and $4.6 million by the university. Plans call for a 79,000-square-foot, three-level building. The main level will have about 46,800 square feet and will house four full-size basketball courts, offices, lobby, restrooms, front desk, concession area, storage and meeting rooms.

The upper level of the building will be about 23,150 square feet and will contain a fitness center, offices, meeting/classrooms, restrooms and an elevated walking track. A basement level of about 9,800 square feet will house Lincoln University athletic department offices, locker rooms and restrooms.

The building will be designed and constructed to meet LEED standards for energy efficiency and sustainable design.

Lincoln University students will be assessed an activity fee that will give them access to the center. Others will have to buy memberships, rental fees or daily drop-in rates to use the facility, the city said. The university and the city have not determined what those fees will be.

Architects anticipate that construction bids for the center will be received in November, and that construction would begin soon after that. The facility could be ready to open in late 2016, the city and university said in a joint news release.