University of Pittsburgh
09/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2025 11:29
Pitt’s state-of-the-art Recreation and Wellness Center is now open for students
The University of Pittsburgh officially opened its new 270,000-plus-square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center to students on Sunday. The much-anticipated facility, shaped by student feedback and grounded in sustainability and holistic well-being, will serve as a vibrant hub for recreation, health and community connection on the Pittsburgh campus.
With nine stories of state-of-the-art features - including an aquatics center, an indoor sky track, courts, weight and cardio zones, a climbing wall, an esports lounge and wellness suites - the new center is more than a building. It's a reflection of Pitt students' evolving needs and priorities.
"We're so excited to open the new Recreation and Wellness Center for students," Vice Provost for Student Affairs Carla Panzella said. "Building a new recreation center gave us the opportunity to reimagine recreation by integrating holistic wellness. This facility reflects our understanding that student success depends on comprehensive well-being."
The project, led by student voices since 2019, is designed to foster mental, physical and social well-being while targeting LEED Gold certification through sustainable design. The center will also connect upper and lower campus with outdoor walkways and gathering spaces, creating a new social core at Pitt. Once open, students and visitors will also enjoy the facility's three new dining concepts, offering fresh and convenient options for refueling before or after activities.
"To me, opening the new Recreation and Wellness Center is a tribute to all the work we have been doing for the past few years. To finally have the entire Campus Recreation department collaborating under the same roof promoting new initiatives and the entire Pitt community will be incredible," said Julia Burg, operations student supervisor. "I personally am most excited for the Techno Gym equipment that will allow me to track my workouts through my phone, making it easier to track and progress."
Sunday was only the start of Student Opening Celebration Week - see the full schedule of free classes, wellness events, live music, food trucks, guided tours, giveaways and interactive experiences. Signature events include facility tours throughout the week, a rock-climbing and connection class on Wednesday and a dive-in movie at the pool on Friday.
"The new Recreation and Wellness Center embodies our commitment to the complete student experience at Pitt," said Dean of Students Marlin Nabors. "This transformative space in the heart of campus unites lower and upper campus while serving as a total health and wellness destination. It's not just a recreation center - it's a hub where students can focus on their physical health, mental health and social connections in one integrated environment. I'm excited for students to experience this game-changing facility."
University of Pittsburgh published this content on September 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 16, 2025 at 17:30 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]