The recreation center will be located off Bizzell Street adjacent to the A&M golf course and across from Krueger, Mosher and Rudder halls. Construction could begin as early as December and is expected to be completed by June 2022.

Texas A&M University's Board of Regents has approved the construction of a $35 million recreation center on the south side of A&M's main campus.

The recreation center will be off Bizzell Street adjacent to the A&M golf course and across from Krueger, Mosher and Rudder halls. Construction could begin as early as December and is expected to be completed by June 2022.

"In recent years, Texas A&M has invested heavily in several facilities designed to enhance the educational experience," Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young in a statement. "With this new recreation center, we're supporting our students' health and well-being, which are essential to helping them succeed not only in the classroom, but also in life."

The 63,000-sq.-ft. facility will have areas for basketball, volleyball and indoor soccer, strength and conditioning, a climbing wall and locker rooms, among other amenities.

A&M administrators said the facility is needed because of the university's increasing enrollment. A study by the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association shows a university of A&M's size should have at least 587,000 square feet of indoor recreational facilities. A&M has about 415,000 square feet.

Since the Student Recreation Center was opened in 1995, the university's student body has grown more than 60 percent, the university said in a release announcing the project. During the same time, recreational facilities on campus have expanded by only 25 percent.

A&M administrators noted how all recreational facilities are on the west side of A&M's campus, which is more than a 10-minute walk from many academic and housing buildings.

"The South Campus Recreation Center is a critical project to the university's commitment to provide students, faculty and staff with the best opportunities to support and nurture their health and well-being," said Rick Hall, A&M's director of recreational sports. "The Department of Recreational Sports provides high-quality, inclusive experiences and facilities. Multiple assessments have shown that participants in recreational activities have higher persistence rates and graduation rates than those who do not engage in recreation. A student's overall health and well-being, coupled with academic success, will prepare graduates for successful careers within the global economy."

Today's top stories

Protecting Delaware Memorial Bridge

Widespread Catastrophic Damage From Hurricane Awaits Repair Crews in SE States

Flatiron, Dragados JV Set to Finish Major Job in Corpus Christi

JCB Celebrates 20 Years of Engine Making

Robert H. Finke & Sons Holds Open House at New Colchester, Vt. Facility

Snyder Civil Leads Way to Provide Clean Water, Safe Communities, More

Today's Security Tech Helps Contractors Combat Jobsite Theft

Komatsu Company Stores East Holds Open House in Pennsylvania