Spring Break
Kinesiology facility opens in Independence Square
Corey Tackett
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Campus
01/23/09 - Jan. 12 marked the day of the grand opening of the new kinesiology facility at the University of Rhode Island.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony honored the opening of the building in its new location in Independence Square, next to the physical therapy building.
The department is now completely moved into its new 29,700 square foot building and is hosting classes. Kinesiology professor Deborah Riebe, who is also the department chair, said the new building offers more space and creates a more organized feel for the department, which used to be housed in Tootell Aquatics Center and the Keaney Gymnasium.
The department's faculty offered its input into the decisions being made about the new building. Because of the collaboration among the architects and the kinesiology faculty, the result was well-received by the kinesiology department.
"We worked with the architects to design exactly what we wanted and needed," Riebe said. "There is a lot more laboratory space and a big health fitness center."
Because the kinesiology facilities were previously located in two buildings, Riebe said she felt there wasn't enough space for the kinesiology department to function efficiently .
"Tootell and Keaney were really just temporary housing and are old. Athletics needed more space as well [in Keaney] so it worked out," Riebe added.
The new space in Independence Square will allow the kinesiology department to continue its studies from last semester. Riebe is hoping the expansion of the new facility will help the department progress with projects it has been working on.
"We ran a pilot program using resistance training on overweight, older adults," Riebe said. "We really needed more space to move ahead. Now, the new fitness center has room for more movement."
The department is growing quickly, according to Riebe. The kinesiology department began the year with only 360 students and now has 560, she said.
Classrooms are located on the lower level of the building and the upper level holds administrative offices. Riebe said housing students and faculty in the same building would be beneficial to the department and "much more convenient for faculty and students," Riebe said.
The department is leasing the building from the Independence Square Foundation, which provided fundraising for the construction of the new facility. Riebe said she is looking forward to utilizing the new space and has a positive outlook for the new facility.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony honored the opening of the building in its new location in Independence Square, next to the physical therapy building.
The department is now completely moved into its new 29,700 square foot building and is hosting classes. Kinesiology professor Deborah Riebe, who is also the department chair, said the new building offers more space and creates a more organized feel for the department, which used to be housed in Tootell Aquatics Center and the Keaney Gymnasium.
The department's faculty offered its input into the decisions being made about the new building. Because of the collaboration among the architects and the kinesiology faculty, the result was well-received by the kinesiology department.
"We worked with the architects to design exactly what we wanted and needed," Riebe said. "There is a lot more laboratory space and a big health fitness center."
Because the kinesiology facilities were previously located in two buildings, Riebe said she felt there wasn't enough space for the kinesiology department to function efficiently .
"Tootell and Keaney were really just temporary housing and are old. Athletics needed more space as well [in Keaney] so it worked out," Riebe added.
The new space in Independence Square will allow the kinesiology department to continue its studies from last semester. Riebe is hoping the expansion of the new facility will help the department progress with projects it has been working on.
"We ran a pilot program using resistance training on overweight, older adults," Riebe said. "We really needed more space to move ahead. Now, the new fitness center has room for more movement."
The department is growing quickly, according to Riebe. The kinesiology department began the year with only 360 students and now has 560, she said.
Classrooms are located on the lower level of the building and the upper level holds administrative offices. Riebe said housing students and faculty in the same building would be beneficial to the department and "much more convenient for faculty and students," Riebe said.
The department is leasing the building from the Independence Square Foundation, which provided fundraising for the construction of the new facility. Riebe said she is looking forward to utilizing the new space and has a positive outlook for the new facility.
