College in Chula Vista, Calif., opens fitness center

The Wellness and Aquatics Complex at Southwestern College includes two Olympic-size swimming pools

Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Calif., has opened a $52 million fitness center on campus.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the 75,000-square-foot Wellness and Aquatics Complex includes two Olympic-size swimming pools, a gymnasium, fitness rooms, locker rooms and classrooms.

The three-story facility replaces the college’s outdated gym and pools, which have been demolished to make way for a new math, science and engineering building.

The college paid for the fitness complex with funds from Proposition R, a $389 million bond measure approved by voters in 2008. The college district’s bond also will cover the costs of a math, science and engineering building that is set to open in the fall 2019.

The fitness center’s facade includes Maya-inspired glyphs designed by Southwestern College art professor Mark Van Stone.

Memberships for students, employees and community members will go on sale in March.

James Spillers, dean of the School of Wellness, Exercise Science & Athletics, says he expects the center “will quickly become the epicenter for health and wellness in the South Bay."

The architect is Gensler.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates