New West campus fitness complex supports ASU's health mission

The public is invited to join the students of ASU’s West campus as they celebrate the opening of the Sun Devil Fitness Complex (SDFC). A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 10 a.m., Friday, March 1, on the new Quad lawn space to the north of the facility at 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix. ASU President Michael M. Crow will attend. Attendees may park free of charge in Lot 2 on the south side of campus.

The opening of SDFC-West completes a major expansion project on the West campus. A new residence hall and dining facility opened last August.

“As the final addition to the three new facilities opening this academic year, the Sun Devil Fitness Complex enhances the student experience,” said Mistalene Calleroz White, dean of students on the West campus. “It reflects exactly what students conceptualized nearly two years ago, and the result today is a renewed energy and an outstanding campus experience. The students have much of which to be proud.”

The SDFC features amenities such as state-of-the-art weight and fitness equipment, a running track, fitness studios, an outdoor pool, two competition play fields with softball and rugby field overlays, outdoor basketball courts and sand volleyball courts, indoor racquetball courts, a two-court gymnasium accommodating basketball, volleyball and badminton, and wellness service space including a demonstration kitchen for healthy food preparation.

The inclusion of wellness space is consistent with ASU’s focus on being one of the healthiest universities in the nation. The university is committed to promoting a well mind, body and community to help students achieve their academic, personal and professional potential.

Student feedback was solicited and incorporated throughout the design and construction process for the three-story building. Students representing the Well Devil Council and a committee promoting wellness in the recreation centers on all four ASU campuses played a key role in that process.

“We anticipated a great, new addition to our campus facilities,” said Elizabeth Langland, ASU vice provost and dean of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, the core college on the West campus. “But the reality has exceeded even our high expectations. The SDFC makes adopting a healthy lifestyle a pleasure rather than a duty.”

The new SDFC replaces a much smaller recreation facility that was located in the basement of the University Center Building. “The more prominent location on campus reflects the importance of health, wellness and engagement in students’ lives and encourages all of us to maintain healthy, active lifestyles,” Calleroz White said.

The SDFC joins the 365-bed Casa de Oro residence hall, designed specifically to meet the needs of freshman and sophomore students, and the Verde Dining Pavilion in significantly expanding facilities and amenities on the West campus. All three projects were constructed without state dollars or tuition revenues being expended. The SDFC is funded by a student government-endorsed facility fee. The housing and dining projects were built by American Campus Communities, with ARAMARK, the dining service provider, contributing to the dining project.

Students on the West campus pursue degrees offered by ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, and W. P. Carey School of Business. Barrett, the Honors College also maintains an active presence on the campus, with students in all majors eligible to participate in Barrett programming.

For more information about the new West campus buildings or the March 1 ribbon-cutting event for the SDFC, call the Dean of Students Office at 602-543-8147.