Groundbreaking for Student Recreation and Convocation Center is April 14
Groundbreaking for the Student Recreation and Convocation Center will be held on Wednesday, April 14 from noon to 1 p.m. The site is on the intramural fields next to the residence halls and across the street from the post office. In case of rain, the groundbreaking will be held April 21 at the same time and location.The proposed building contains 127,685 square feet and is divided into two areas: the Convocation Center (gymnasium) and the Student Recreation Center. A large concourse divides these two areas and will act as a gathering place before, during and after events in the convocation center.
The Convocation Center is a 27,324 square foot area that provides approximately 3,500 seats for graduation and convocation ceremonies, concerts and shows. It will be the home of Coastal Carolina University's NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball programs, as well as women’s volleyball. This gymnasium will have retractable seating, which will provide three full-size basketball/volleyball courts when closed and more than 3,000 seats around the University’s competition basketball court when open. Overlooking this area will be the Hospitality and President's Suite, which provides for 165 additional seats for viewing events. The total seating capacity for an athletic event will be 3,328.
Included in this area are locker facilities for visiting men's and women's athletic teams and home locker facilities for Coastal Carolina University athletic teams. A 10,000-square foot bookstore will also be located in this area. Office suites for men’s basketball, women’s basketball and women’s volleyball will be located on the second floor.
The Student Recreation and Convocation Center will have a 30-foot high climbing wall, 1/10 mile indoor track, large areas for cardio equipment and free weights as well as three multiuse workout/meeting rooms that will be used for fitness classes. There will also be a large storage area for outdoor athletic and fitness equipment. There are locker rooms and changing rooms in this portion of the building and an office suite for the Department of Campus Recreation and Intramurals.
