University Of Memphis: UofM Opens $31 Million R. Brad Martin Student Wellness Center And Plaza

Press release from the University of Memphis:

June 30, 2021

The two-story facility is located at 3735 Southern Avenue, adjacent to the $18 million
Hunter Harrison pedestrian cable bridge and $18.5 million, five-story, 1,140-space
parking garage. It features expanded cardio and weight training areas, indoor and
outdoor basketball courts, four fitness studios, a teaching kitchen, an indoor track,
three tennis courts, an outdoor pool, classroom space and more.

The new building will operate in addition to the UofM's existing Student Recreation
and Sports Complex, which will continue to provide basketball, volleyball, badminton,
racquetball, and indoor swimming, in addition to outdoor playing fields. Members have
access to free group fitness classes and reduced rates for services, such as personal
training and massage therapy. 

"Wellness is at the core of what a great school is supposed to be all about," said
R. Brad Martin. "There's not an element of this community that's wellness is not impacted
by the work of this great University. This is a physical demonstration of the incredible
progress this University has made the past eight years under the transformative leadership
of President (M. David) Rudd, one of the greatest educators of my lifetime and in
this nation."

Martin is a UofM graduate, chairman of RBM Ventures and retired chairman and CEO of
Saks Incorporated. He was previously student body president at the University and
interim UofM president in 2013-14, and has served on the UofM Board of Trustees since
its inception in 2017. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters following his
time as interim president.

"I can't imagine a more fitting building to carry the name of Brad Martin," said Rudd.
"He has been dedicated to student wellness since his days as a student at the UofM.
Much of his work has been done outside the public view, but has been essential to
the progress of this University and our community. It has been the single greatest
joy of my eight years at the University of Memphis to be able to call Brad a friend."

In May, the UofM held a ground breaking for the $12 million Mike Rose Aquatics Center
in partnership with Memphis Tiger Swimming, Splash Mid-South, the YMCA and the Rose
Foundation. The project is a renovation of the existing pool in the Student Recreation
and Sports Complex and will serve as a complement to the new wellness center with
a deeper and longer pool more conducive to lap swimming. Additionally, spectator seating
in the pool area will be expanded and the roof for the entire facility will be replaced
with other key mechanical systems revamped and upgraded. 

To donate to the Mike Rose Natatorium to ensure that everyone in the Mid-South has
access to affordable swimming instruction, please contact Joanna Curtis in the UofM
development office at 901.671.5274 or jecurtis@memphis.edu.

This press release was produced by the University of Memphis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.