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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Officials at a Missouri college have approved payment for a project that will transform the university's dormant aquatic center for use as a fitness center.
The Northwest Missouri State University's board of regents on Wednesday approved the nearly $3.25 million contract with a St. Joseph firm to do the renovation work, the St. Joseph News-Press (http://bit.ly/1xW5nl9 ) reported.
The school closed the 4,000-square-foot pool facility in 2012. Lee Grover Construction will renovate the facility into a fitness center that could include studios for yoga, dance and other classes; cardio equipment; a climbing wall and strength-training machines.
Plans for the center also call for it to include a classroom, lab space and a 2,300-square-foot mezzanine area that will overlook Colden Pond and the Joyce & Harvey White International Plaza.
"We are thankful for the board's support and know our students, employees and community as well as prospective students will be thrilled with this project," Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. "It continues the positive momentum across so many areas at Northwest."
He has said before that officials hope to have the new fitness center ready for students by fall 2015. Students will be able to use the fitness center for free.
The university will pay for the fitness center with a mix of its own funds, donor fees and a $4-per-credit-hour fee. Revenue from the student fee will pay for the facility's operating costs after construction finishes.
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Information from: St. Joseph News-Press/St. Joe, Missouri, http://www.newspressnow.com
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