SVSU Ryder Center upgrades - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(02/12/13) - Big changes are coming to one of the most recognized buildings on the SVSU campus. There will be more room and flexibility for once a major construction and renovation project is completed.

SVSU alumni Lindsey Thurlow is a regular at SVSU's Ryder Center. "Mixed martial arts training, judo training. There's a judo class here that I've been involved with for three years now, and I enjoy it."

For some SVSU students and alumni, the Ryder Center is home for recreation clubs, intramural activities, athletic competition and practice. Now, the 24-year-old building is getting a major facelift. "We have an indoor track that needs to be replaced. We have an outdoor track, that rather than replace, we're going to put those resources toward this new fieldhouse that will be home to the new indoor track," says SVSU director of media relations, J.J. Boehm.

The new fieldhouse, added to the north side of the Ryder Center is phase one of a $20 million, two-part construction and renovation project. Work on this new addition begins in May.
"The driving force behind this is providing the best possible opportunities we can for our student, both in terms of recreation for every-day students and in terms of facilities to support our student athletes," Boehm said.

The second phase, beginning in May of next year, will update existing facilities inside the Ryder Center.

"I think it's great for students to go and work out and have upkeep of the whole gym, make it new and have better equipment," said senior Tiera Wade.

"I think it's amazing. It's about time. This way we can get better facilities, get more stuff in there that we need. So, I think it's pretty cool," said freshman Timothy Eschtruth.

Phase 1 should be completed in April of 2014, with Phase 2 winding up in November of next year.