UW Bothell, Cascadia College to celebrate opening of student Activities and Recreation Center

The University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College will celebrate the grand opening of the new Activities and Recreation Center on Oct. 7, a building project jointly funded by student activity fees from both institutions. The $20 million, 36,000-square-foot facility is expected to quickly become the hub of student life on an expanding Bothell campus.

October 5, 2015 2:31 pm
An artist's UW Bothell Activities and Recreation Center.
An artist's UW Bothell Activities and Recreation Center.

The following is a release from UW Bothell:

The University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College will celebrate the grand opening of the new Activities and Recreation Center on Oct. 7, a building project jointly funded by student activity fees from both institutions. The $20 million, 36,000-square-foot facility is expected to quickly become the hub of student life on an expanding Bothell campus.

The modern and colorful three-story building is outfitted with the latest technology and has offices for student life and government groups, multiple meeting spaces, fitness areas and a space for large student events and activities. On any given day, there are thousands of students on the campus. The center is intended to meet the needs of the growing and diverse student population.

Dominick Juarez is the president of the Associated Students of UW Bothell. “As students at UW Bothell, we have the opportunity to build what there isn’t on campus,” he says. “That usually means building clubs and programs to enrich the student experience. The Activities & Recreation Center will act as a catalyst in shifting us from a commuter student body to a communal one. We will be able to relax, study and collaborate to make positive change on our campus and throughout our community.”

Cascadia Student Government President Elise Saracino says the building is a source of student pride for many reasons, “The Activities and Recreation Center isn’t just a new flashy building with bright colors. It’s so much more than that. This building has been discussed for a number of years – seven, to be exact – and to comprehend that this structure is a result of student contribution just goes to show how powerful our voices are.”

The Activities and Recreation Center, designed by LMN and built by Skanska, connects to the North Creek Events Center at its top floor and is adjacent to UW Bothell’s Sports and Recreation Complex, which opened in 2012. It also overlooks the shared North Creek Wetlands. The center was designed with sustainable features such as natural ventilation and sustainable building materials. As students enter through the main lobby, they will find a reception desk made from reclaimed wood.