Elon University students are closer to having an additional space to work out and stay fit.
The new recreation building in Danieley Center is scheduled to host a soft opening Sept. 21, according to Rex Waters, dean of student development.
Brad Moore, associate director of planning, design and construction, said that the building, which sits behind Danieley Center flats H, I and J, received a temporary certificate of occupancy.
The building was originally scheduled to be accessible to students when school began. According to Moore, the opening was delayed because of issues with the placement of the gym floor.
The center, which has been under construction since February, will be called the Phoenix Activities and Recreation Center (PARC), Waters said.
“We’re excited about it,” Waters said. “We think it will add a lot to the area.”
The small fitness center — open to students who live in the Danieley neighborhood, 6 a.m.-midnight during the weekdays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. during the weekends — will house seven cardio pieces, dumbbells, a cable machine used for weight training and a general floor area for activities, according to Waters.
In addition to the fitness space, there will also be two basketball courts and offices for Campus Recreation.
Planning and funding for the center was initiated in October 2014 when the Board of Trustees approved a proposal for the 14,850-square-foot recreation center.
At the time the board also approved a 4,000-square-foot expansion to Daniel Commons, which opened in August and includes classroom and study space, as well as an Einstein Bros. Bagels.
In addition to construction and additions in Danieley Center, it was announced Sept. 1 that Elon purchased 19.5 acres of land west of campus.
The purchased land is the preferred site of the proposed convocation center.
Moore said that at this point in time for the construction of the site, a designer has been hired.
Additional reporting by Max Garland, Assistant News Editor