Geraldo Rivera University is one of the larger institutions in the state. GRU is a community of about 18,500 students, faculty and staff. The main campus has over 80 buildings with one, old, outdated gym/rec center. GRU is located in Springerville, MO, a city of about 100,000 that was named after Jerry. The GRU campus has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 12,000 with a graduate enrollment of 3,000. The University employs 1,500 faculty and 2,000 staff. Approximately 6,000 students live in campus housing while the remainder commute from the community. The Department of Recreational Sports serves as a vital and integral part of student life on the GRU campus. The department offers comprehensive quality intramural programs and services that promote healthy lifestyles among a diverse campus community. The Department of Varsity Athletics at GRU is a member of the NCAA Division II and includes a full complement of varsity teams. The GRU "Fightin' Weasels" varsity teams are currently housed in the old gym that is scheduled for demolition. Sports on campus include: men's and women's teams in tennis, basketball, track, cross country, women's volleyball, softball and field hockey, and men's, football and baseball. Currently, the women's basketball and volleyball teams play in the sports forum in the existing gym but this space has limited spectator seating. Both teams would like to continue to play on campus. The men's basketball team competes in the city owned, 12,000 seat Civic Center. No other sports teams are envisioned competing or working out in the proposed recreation, sports and community center. There has been a discussion about adding men's and women's swimming and diving if a competitive natatorium is built on campus. The Board of Regents of GRU has completed a feasibility study determining the financial requirements of a recreation facility that could serve the entire campus community of GRU as well as the public community of Springerville. Several entities will contribute to the capital and operational budgets of the proposed recreation, sports and community center. The institution will provide $5,000,000 through fundraising. A student referendum passed earlier in the year will provide additional funding of approximately $15,000,000. The community of Springerville, through a cent sales tax increase passed earlier in the spring, will provide funding of approximately $7,000,000. The entire project budget for the center will be $27,000,000. Public Spaces The new recreation, sports and community center will require at least one significant entry. This entry/lobby will be used by visitors as a pre-function space and to provide an area for circulation to the free zone activity areas which include concessions, vending, juice bar, pro shop, public restrooms, babysitting and game room. The areas in the free zone should have some sense of visual connection to as many of the controlled activity areas as possible to help market fitness opportunities to students and community members. Administration It is envisioned that the current recreation office will move into the facility and provide the support necessary for staff, including private offices, work areas, break room, conference room, storage, reception and toilet areas within one office suite.