Sanderson Center at MSU celebrates ribbon cutting after major renovation project

MSU leaders and partners celebrate a ribbon cutting at the Joe Frank Sanderson Center, the first major renovation since the facility opened in 1998. — Photo by Beth Wynn

Celebrating a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of MSU’s renovation project at the Joe Frank Sanderson Center are, first row, from left: University Recreation Associate Director Jason Townsend; Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt; MSU President Mark E. Keenum; Student Association President Carson McFatridge; Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Jeremy Baham; University Recreation Director Patrik Nordin; Wier Boerner Allin Architecture Principal and Senior Project Architect Jule Markle; second row, from left: Ethos Contracting Group Superintendent Wesley Howell ; Ethos Vice President and Director of Engineering Matthew Forrester; Ethos President Jacob Forrester; University Recreation marketing graduate assistant Gianna Esposito; Wier Boerner Allin Architecture Principal Jamie Wier; and, back, additional University Recreation staff supporting the milestone.

Video by Sarah Kirk

Tori Welch, a senior natural resources and environmental conservation major from Miramar, Florida, climbs in the new bouldering cave at MSU’s newly renovated Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Welch is a student worker in the Outdoor Adventures area. (Photo by Beth Wynn)

The project included repurposing four racquetball courts on the second floor to create a large, open-concept space to accommodate the growing student population. A furnished new fitness space features updated fitness equipment, and the total usable floor fitness space on the facility’s second floor increased to 7,000 square feet. The first floor features a new bouldering cave with a Moon-Board interactive climbing wall, and a new staircase from the main corridor facilitates additional second floor access. The project also included upgrades to flooring, wall surfaces and special architectural features throughout, with added day-use lockers and a social gathering space.

The MSU Student Association was a driving force for the improved amenities, supported by an increased student activity fee to help fund the project, the first major renovation to the facility since it opened in 1998.

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