Samford University breaks ground on historic $65M campus recreation complex

Yesterday, Samford University broke ground on a new $65 million state-of-the-art recreation and athletic complex. The new Campus Recreation, Wellness and Athletic Complex is now underway and is expected to be completed in Fall of 2024.

It includes four phases, including renovations to Seibert Hall and Bashinsky Field House as well as the construction of a new athletic building.

President Beck Taylor

The project, according to Samford President Dr. Beck A. Taylor, was something students asked him for as soon as he began his tenure as President.

“When I arrived in the summer of 2021, students told me right away– we need something like this. Seibert Hall served many generations of Samford students, but really doesn’t meet the contemporary needs of our students. We’ve been talking about this for a while, it’s fun to finally break ground on to set that Fall 2024 date that we’re aspiring to.”

Samford President Beck A. Taylor

Taylor’s focus with the project centers around wellness and providing communal places on campus where students have resources readily accessible to them. One of these facilities is the Health and Wellness Center, which is now home to University Health Services and student counseling.

“We’ve already completed phase one– a new renovated health and wellness facility, so when students get physically sick or need counseling, they have this space to go to access those resources. The vast majority of the space is really recreational space for our students just to take care of themselves and to congregate and have fun.”

Samford President Beck A. Taylor

What to expect

The complex will encompass four separate buildings totaling 165,000 square feet and is part of a comprehensive plan for expanded student recreation, health and wellness. The largest capital project in Samford’s history, this $65 million investment will give students a place to enhance physical fitness and mental wellness as well as new spaces for recreation and events. 

Renovations to Seibert Hall and Bashinsky Field House are now underway. The Bashinsky Field House is being renovated into a fully refurbished facility for Samford student-athletes to train. Seibert Hall will be redesigned to include:

• Two basketball courts
• New multi-use court
• Studios for fitness classes
• E-sports studio
• Dance studios
• Multi-purpose workout area
• A coffee house
• 24-hour convenience store

A third building will also be constructed adjacent to Seibert Hall for additional recreation and event space, featuring:

• Suspended indoor track
• Sound and staging for campus events
• Catering kitchen
• Covered outdoor athletic space
• Covered balcony overlooking Bobby Bowden Field

For more information about this exciting new campus development, visit their website.

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