Irwin Aguilar, junior in LAS, said the Intramural Physical Education building, better known as IMPE, is “humongous.” IMPE, 201 E. Peabody Drive, is one out of the two main indoor recreation centers located on campus.

IMPE underwent construction in March 2006 and plans to reveal its new look no later than the spring of 2008. Currently 220,000 square feet, IMPE will be expanded to 340,000 square feet and reach four stories high.

The updated facility will include two 50-meter pools, a 42-foot high rock climbing wall, a Wellness Center, an auditorium, a cycling room, an indoor track and full men’s and women’s locker rooms. Wooden courts, multi-purpose rooms, an instructional kitchen, conference rooms, a lounge area, and courts for both racquetball and squash will provide diverse options tailored to the student body’s needs. Wireless Internet will also be accessible throughout the building.

IMPE’s construction is considered to be Phase II of the Division of Campus Recreation’s renovation project. Phase I of the project focused on the University’s other main indoor gym, Campus Recreation Center-East (CRCE), 1102 W. Gregory Drive. The CRCE renovations increased the facility’s floor areas to 110,000 square feet. CRCE houses a multi-activity gym with three basketball courts, an indoor track, a free weight/cardio fitness center, a multi-purpose room, a multi-activity room, and an aquatic center.

“We’re always trying to improve and keep all the facilities in top-notch shape,” said Erik Riha, lead assistant director of marketing for DCR.

IMPE’s East Wing has been designed to accommodate users as the rest of the building undergoes construction. The final version will hold six basketball courts, adding to the four currently available in the East Wing, along with additional space for temporary workout equipment.

Once completed, IMPE will contain 34,000 square feet of space for a fitness and workout area, which will be furnished with brand-new equipment.

Riha said IMPE’s construction is going as planned and there have been no delays in the process.

“I’m very excited … but it’s unfortunate because by the time they’ll finish, I’ll have already graduated from college,” said Ryan Tiojanco, senior in ACES.

However, IMPE and CRCE are not the only recreational resources the University offers. The Outdoor Center, 51 E. Gregory Drive, consists of basketball and tennis courts, an inline skating rink, and sand volleyball courts. Additionally, the Outdoor Complex, located on the corner of Florida and Lincoln avenues, supplies fields for football, soccer, lacrosse, and rugby as well as softball diamonds. Illini Grove, on the corner of Pennsylvania and Lincoln avenues, has a sand volleyball court, a basketball court and tennis courts. The University also maintains an ice arena at 406 E. Armory Ave.

For more information on IMPE’s updates and the other campus recreation facilities, visit www.campusrec.uiuc.edu.