UConn Student Recreation Center

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT | STORRS, CT

As part of the University of Connecticut’s 2015 Master Plan, the Student Recreation Center was envisioned as a signature investment in strengthening the student experience and campus life. Located at the heart of the Storrs campus, the 200,000-square-foot facility anchors the student precinct along Hillside Avenue and fosters wellness, recreation, social connection, engagement and student retention.

JCJ, working in collaboration with Moody Nolan, led an extensive planning and programming process involving students, faculty, administrators and Rec staff. Through interactive workshops and engagement sessions, the team learned about stakeholder preferences and identified key program priorities. The team developed a series of responsive planning principles that brought together a wide range of recreation and wellness programs within an approachable, accessible environment that welcomes the entire student community.

The 200,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center brings together fitness, aquatics, indoor recreation, adventure programming, club and intramural sports, and flexible social spaces within a cohesive environment. Organized as a series of adaptable “fitness neighborhoods,” the facility makes its diverse program easy to navigate while encouraging students to engage with wellness in ways that reflect their individual interests, abilities and goals.

LEED Gold and SITES certified, the Student Recreation Center strengthens pedestrian connections across campus while serving as one of the University’s most active student destinations. More than a recreation facility, it has become an integral part of campus life—supporting student wellness, fostering community and enriching the overall university experience.