The Lawrence Memorial Chapel at Lawrence University in Appleton is seen, Nov. 1, 2016. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Lawrence University is giving a downtown Appleton building new life.
Construction will soon begin on The Hub, a renovation project that will transform the lower level of the City Center East building into a state-of-the-art fitness and recreation center to serve the entire campus community complete with new practice facilities for athletics and the Conservatory.
“Just to have access to that cutting edge technology of being able to simulate these practice spaces is just a game changer for what we’re able to do and how we approach our practice to level up our musicianship,” said 4th year music education and trumpet performance student Joey O’Connor.
Batting cages, golf simulators, and state-of-the-art practice rooms for music are just a taste of what the University is planning for the space.
President Laurie Carter said the $8 million project is fully funded by donors.
“The space was donated to us, and the buildout of the space as well as all of the state-of-the-art equipment that’s going into the space has been donated,” Carter said.
The 56,000 square feet of space on the first floor of City Center East was donated to the university last year by the owners of three local investment firms.
The facility will be available to students and community members alike. President Carter added it’s a step forward for the University as it expands its footprint downtown.
“Just think about coming to this space whether you have athletic interests, gaming interests, musical interests. This is really a place for Lawrence students and the community to sort of live out their passions,” she said.
O’Connor said the program has outgrown its current practice spaces. To have not only more practice rooms, but ones that simulate a performance venue, is revolutionary for the next generation of students.
“I wish I were around to try that, because it’s so cool! But it’s really cool to see the opportunities that they’re going to have and I’ve heard a lot of my friends that are super stoked about being able to tap into this,” he said.
The University expects The Hub to open in November. In recent years, Lawrence University has been expanding its footprint with the West Campus and Fox Commons.
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