MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
Students returning to the Auburn University Montgomery campus this fall will find a brand new Wellness Center. Crews are putting the finishing touches on the facility, ahead of its grand opening, scheduled for August 13th.
"We're very excited about the opening," said Louis Thornton, the Director of the center. "The students asked for this building, and now they have it. We're anxious to see them come in."
The funding for the multi-million dollar center is coming from a student activities fee. The center features a climbing wall that reaches 23 feet into the air. It also features a large indoor pool with a Jacuzzi on the outside. There's also a large basketball court that can be used for other games, an indoor track, and of course, exercise equipment like cycling machines and weights.
As crews finish up construction on the Wellness Center, construction is in full swing on the residence hall along the way. It's set to open next summer, and is another step in changing the feel of Auburn Montgomery's campus.
"It will give us more access to recruiting more students in, it will give those students more access to a center that is already functioning and ready to go, unlike a lot of the other students at AUM, it will be a lot different for those groups that come in," Thornton said.
And for current students like Jamarcus White, it's an exciting time to be on campus.
"I really think it's going to put a boost to AUM," said White, who will be a Junior in the fall. "We just got a new mascot, we're building up and most people like to be a part of an organization that's building up in a positive way."
Students and recent graduates can use the center for free, others will have to pay a monthly fee. Members of the public can use the facility if they join the AUM Alumni Association. More information on that can be found here.
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