WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Officials with Missouri State University-West Plains and the West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, to mark the grand opening of the university’s new student recreation center.

The approximately 10,000-square-foot facility is located at 323 W. Trish Knight St. adjacent to the Grizzly House residence hall.
Brief remarks will be given by Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett, Missouri State University System Interim President Clif Smart, and Missouri State-West Plains StudentGovernment Association (SGA) Vice President Kassie Deal.  Those attending also can tour the facility and enjoy refreshments, organizers said.

Construction of the $2,221,114 building, which will serve as an emergency shelter during inclement weather, was partially funded with a $1,320,149 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The remaining $900,965 is being funded with a 25-year auxiliary bond (loan) that will be paid with money generated from a student-approved $25 fee.

In addition to providing emergency shelter to students, faculty, staff and community members, the center houses a gymnasium for basketball and volleyball and a separate racquetball court.  It also will be ideal for a host of student-related activities and events, such as meetings and banquets, university officials said.

For more information about the ceremony, call Assistant to the Chancellor Patricia Walsh at 417-255-7904.