The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has given the go-ahead for Texas A&M University-Texarkana to move forward with plans to build an anticipated $11 million, 38,000-square-foot recreation and wellness center.
The university says it will pursue a public-private partnership with Eagle Lake Development of Texarkana, Texas, to carry out the project.
“The Texas A&M University System is a leader in using public-private partnerships to keep costs down, saving money for our students, their parents and Texas taxpayers,” says A&M Chancellor John Sharp. “Innovation is key to providing high-quality facilities while keeping a university education affordable.”
Final plans have not been drawn, but officials say the key features of the center are likely to include a regulation-sized intercollegiate basketball/volleyball court that could double as space for recreational sports, retractable bleachers, student recreation space, classrooms, student-study areas, locker rooms, a wellness center and training room for student-athletes, and offices for faculty and staff.
A&M-Texarkana plans to raise funds to furnish and equip the building, which will be available for use by students and community members.
Groundbreaking for the recreation and wellness center is tentatively planned for this winter, the university says. Construction is expected to take about 15 months.
