Built in the 1970s, Seaton Center had been serving student needs for fitness and recreation at the University of Kentucky for many years. With increasing enrollment and a desire to attract more students, the university decided to expand its services with a new state-of-the-art facility.

Designed as an addition to the existing facility, the Bernard M. Johnson Student Recreation Center included four multi-purpose basketball courts, an 800-foot, four-lane jogging track, a 12,000-square foot fitness and conditioning center, aerobic activity rooms, four racquetball courts, and a 40-foot tall rock and boulder terrain climbing wall. Support spaces included new locker and shower rooms, administrative areas and a health bar.

The design focused on incorporating extensive natural lighting throughout the facility and also included a new symbolic entrance for the recreational complex.

RossTarrant Architects served as associate architect on the project to lead architect HNTB of Kansas City, Missouri.

close