Design Priorities for Grand Lakes University Recreational Sports Facility

Congratulations! You have just been appointed Director of Recreational Sport at Grand Lakes University, a fictional R1. University based on an obscure Rodney Dangerfield movie from the 1980s. GLU is building a new flagship recreational sports facility on central campus to replace the current facility built in 1996. As Director, you will be responsible for consulting with architects Moody Nolan on the design of the new facility. The new facility must be a significant upgrade over the old facility and embody the programming, practice, and philosophy of GLU Rec Sports, not only now but well into the future.
Compose a memorandum about the new facility to Moody Nolan on behalf of GLU. Your memo must be clear about the following:
a) what GLU Rec Sports wants to prioritize in the design of the new facility, and why
b) how GLU Rec Sports will justify the expense to the Grand Lakes Board of Trustees, both now and in the coming years
c) how the new facility will embody recent trends in recreational sport programming, so as not to become obsolete too quickly
Your memo must also make clear how the new facility will embody best practices in the provision of recreational sport.
Be bold and specific in your demands; this is your chance to shape rec sport at GLU for a generation or more. But every demand must be justifiable to the trustees. For instance: do you want a climbing wall? Ask for one! But you must be clear about how that will contribute to one or more of GLU Rec Sports’ institutional missions. Is it co-curricular? Does it develop leadership? Does it contribute to student wellness? Is it necessary to compete with peers like Springfield A&M for undergraduate enrollment? Will it generate revenue? Does it foster diversity and/or inclusion? In other words, is it essential to one or more best practice in campus recreational sport?
You have much to draw on in your answer: our readings, discussions, and guest presenters; Moody Nolan’s online portfolio of similar facilities; recent research in the field with which you are now familiar; peer matching of your colleagues and competitors.
As with previous assignments, flexibility will be observed with respect to assignment length and design. But please make at least four (4) specific demands of Moody Nolan and make clear how they each further one or more of your institutional missions at GLU. Feel free to make more. After all, it’s your fictional legacy.