In February, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees voted to proceed with the demolition of IM West, replacing it with the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center. As the $200 million project is set to open this spring, IM West is scheduled to be demolished by the following spring.
IM West has been the largest recreational gym on campus since its inauguration in 1959. The new recreational center aims to solve long-standing issues that IM West has sustained for decades, such as the outdated mechanical equipment, failing plumbing infrastructure and the slowly deteriorating status of the building.
Director of MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness, Rick McNeil, insists that IM West has served its purpose after 70 years of use.
“At the end of the day, this building has served its purpose, and the activity space is great,” McNeil said. “But mechanical spaces, unfortunately, are not built to last forever.”
While IM West will close on April 25, the pool will be available to students until its demolition, as the 50-meter pool in the new recreational center is still under construction.
Notably, the new facility has adopted innovative and sustainable practices, promoting better performance of the building’s infrastructure, solving the problems that students expressed with IM West.
Actuarial science major Alyssa Light is set to graduate this spring. She describes her relationship with IM West during her time as a student as complex.
“The building definitely holds some sort of sentiment to me, I have been practicing in it for the club water pool team for the past three years, and even when I’m not in season I normally lap swim 3 to 4 times a week”, Light said. “However, I think that this change with the new rec center and the demolition of IM West is necessary for the university. It’s honestly a bit of an embarrassment compared to a lot of other Big Ten schools, seeing all these other nice facilities during club tournaments.”
The opening of the recreation and wellness center includes many additions in comparison to IM West. For example, the building will feature an indoor running track and arena, sport simulators and MSU’s first ever indoor climbing wall.
It will also feature a nature center, allowing students to rent outdoor equipment such as canoes, tents, hammocks and kayaks.
Additionally, the center adds “Hammock Grove”, which will be located under the second floor stairwell. Hammock Grove will function as a space for students to lounge and unwind — a way for MSU to support student mental and physical health.
Light remains optimistic with the transition from the outdated IM West to the new recreational center for students. While she won’t be able to utilize the facility as a student next year, MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness Services has established guidelines to outline those who are eligible moving forward.
Eligibility is determined by the MSU Administration, and the class of 2026 and MSU alumni are still able to access the new recreational center.
“I’m definitely excited to have access to the new rec center over the summer.” Light said. “I think this is a great venture for future MSU students, and I’m glad that the campus will be consistently improving and moving on even after I graduate.”
A student open house is scheduled for April 15, where students can tour the building before it opens later this semester.
