Construction of New Wellness and Rec Center Underway

By Rae Lynch

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Cal State San Marcos held a Construction Kickoff on Wednesday, Nov. 12, to celebrate construction being underway for the Student Wellness and Recreation Center (SWRC), which is expected to open by summer 2027. Approved in a CSUSM student-led referendum in October 2024, the center will be located directly next to The QUAD housing complex across Barham Drive from University Village Apartments.

Partnering with Sea Breeze Properties, developers of North City, which includes CSUSM's North Commons, The QUAD and the Extended Learning Building, the SWRC will be the latest addition to campus life.

"This has been a long time coming, and we couldn't be more proud to be here today," said Darren Levitt, vice president and partner of Sea Breeze Properties and emcee for the Construction Kickoff. "I don't know of any other development in the country that includes all of these elements in one project."

The SWRC will have a 10,000-square-foot gym space with strength training equipment and cardio machines, two standard-sized indoor courts and a rooftop deck with a turf field. In addition to the extensive room for student exercise, there will also be dedicated wellness areas indoors and outdoors, a commuter lounge and an esports collaboration den. The project will also include additional student housing, with over 900 beds, as well as a central park and retail space.

"When students have access to wellness and recreation resources, they thrive, manage stress better, perform stronger academically, and feel more connected to their campus," CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. "That's what this center is all about."

"When you choose an institution of higher learning as a student, you're not just choosing a place to learn, you're choosing a community to live in and live with, and having this very crucial piece of the community be here on campus is going to be an enormous opportunity for our students," Assemblymember Darshana Patel said.

• Darren Levitt (left) and Gary Levitt (right) of Sea Breeze Properties with CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt during a kickoff event for CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center on Wednesday, Nov. 12.Photo by Erica Perez
• Darren Levitt of Sea Breeze Properties (left) and Campus Recreation Director Lisa Dickinson unveil a rendering of the new park that is part of CSUSM's Student Wellness & Recreation Center. Photo by Nik Renner
• Construction is underway on for CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center. Photo by Erica Perez
• Chris Devers provides a blessing for CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center during a kickoff event on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Photo by Erica Perez
• An artist's rendering shows the exterior of CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center.
• An artist's rendering shows one of the multipurpose areas of CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center.
• An artist's rendering shows the weight training area of CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center.
• An artist's rendering shows the Outdoor Adventures area of CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center.
• An artist's rendering shows the gym of CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center.
• An artist's rendering shows the weight training area of CSUSM's new Student Wellness & Recreation Center.

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CSUSM's Campus Recreation students and staff worked hard to advocate for the center. Campus Rec student ambassadors, along with other student groups and organizations, helped make this project a reality by conducting a referendum to ensure students' voices determined the outcome of the SWRC.

"I've seen firsthand how much our students have wanted and needed this space," said Illeana Carmona Chavez, ASI student leader and former Campus Recreation employee who helped lead the student referendum. "Since 2016, students have been advocating for more wellness and recreation opportunities, and today, we're making that dream a reality.

"This center is about fitness and wellness, but it's also about belonging. It's about giving students - especially commuters like me - a place to connect, recharge and feel part of something bigger."

Added San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones: "We are very focused on wellness and keeping people healthy so this could not be more appropriate. San Marcos used to be just known as the educational hub of North County, now we're known as the health care epicenter. So, to have a place like this built makes so much sense."

As CSUSM's campus continues to grow, buildings like the SWRC are what make all the difference. Providing a space for students to exercise, play sports with friends or simply relax and unwind fosters the sense of community that CSUSM strives for.

"This project reflects the power of public and private partnerships - students, faculty, staff, business, government and community coming together to make something extraordinary happen," Neufeldt said.

"Whether students live on campus, commute, or call CSUSM home for just part of their day, this center will be their space - a place to recharge, to build friendships, and to strengthen mind and body."

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