The Alfred C. Jr. and Ellen Faye Eckert Recreation Center Nears Completion

When Wheaton College broke ground last May for its newest athletic and recreation facility, no one could have
predicted how much enthusiasm it would generate. This much-needed space will now allow athletics and
kinesiology offices to share one central area. Further, it will provide the entire College community with a state-
of- the-art weight and fitness room, an elevated running and sprint track, and a climbing wall.

This beautiful facility, now nearing completion and scheduled for use in the 2000-2001 academic year, will
blend beautifully with other new and renovated buildings on campus. In addition to classroom and athletic
uses, the building, designed in the architectural style of the Anderson Commons dining hall, will also be well-
suited for informal and formal gatherings.

Centennial Gymnasium is also receiving a face-lift. King Arena will be upgraded to include 2,700 new arena
seats, and the lobby area will be renovated. These changes are scheduled to be completed by Fall 2000.

Enthusiasm from all areas of campus, including alumni and donor support, have made the Sports and Recreation
Center one of the most anticipated and well-funded of the New Century Challenge initiatives. In March 1999,
the Kresge Foundation set forth a challenge grant of $850,000 assuming the completion of funding by March 31,
2000. Thanks to generous, interested, and enthusiastic donors, the Kresge challenge was met before the March
31 deadline.

In July, an anonymous donor set forth yet another challenge, that of $1,000,000 to help complete the funding.

Wheaton College would like to thank the Kresge Foundation for its part in enriching our community life through
this multi-purpose facility. We would also like to thank our donors--alumni, students, and friends of
Wheaton College--who so generously committed to make this dream a reality. It is our sincere hope that many
generations of students will benefit from this recreation center, and that through it they may learn to love
God with their minds, hearts, and bodies.

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