Sanderson Center celebrates ribbon cutting after major renovation project
PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs
Celebrating a ribbon cutting last Wednesday [Nov. 13] to mark the completion of Mississippi State’s renovation project at the Joe Frank Sanderson Center are, first row, from left: University Recreation Associate Director Jason Townsend; Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt; MSU President Mark E. Keenum; Student Association President Carson McFatridge; Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Jeremy Baham; University Recreation Director Patrik Nordin; Wier Boerner Allin Architecture Principal and Senior Project Architect Jule Markle; second row, from left: Ethos Contracting Group Superintendent Wesley Howell; Ethos Vice President and Director of Engineering Matthew Forrester; Ethos President Jacob Forrester; University Recreation marketing graduate assistant Gianna Esposito; Wier Boerner Allin Architecture Principal Jamie Wier; and, back, additional University Recreation staff supporting the milestone.
The project included repurposing four racquetball courts on the second floor to create a large, open-concept space to accommodate the growing student population. A furnished new fitness space features updated fitness equipment, and the total usable floor fitness space on the facility’s second floor increased to 7,000 square feet. The first floor features a new bouldering cave with a Moon-Board interactive climbing wall, and a new staircase from the main corridor facilitates additional second floor access. The project also included upgrades to flooring, wall surfaces and special architectural features throughout, with added day-use lockers and a social gathering space.
The MSU Student Association was a driving force for the improved amenities, supported by an increased student activity fee to help fund the project, the first major renovation to the facility since it opened in 1998.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.
Allison Matthews | Public Affairs
