The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-La Crosse) will spend $58.5 million to renovate its recreation center. Construction on the Mitchell Hall renovation project is expected to begin in May 2028.
The project will prioritize:
Replacing the building’s HVAC system and its two electrical services with a single service.
Renovating the fieldhouse for gymnastics and wrestling practice facilities and building an instructional and research space.
Repairing and renovating the natatorium.
Work on the HVAC system and electrical services will revolve around replacing outdated, obsolete and substandard equipment. The new equipment will feature a variable-air volume system with reheat coils and terminal units. The university will also clean, repair and reactivate ductwork and related obsolete equipment.
UW-La Crosse will install air handling units, fans, terminal units, variable-frequency drives and associated piping and controls wiring as replacements for the control systems. The updated equipment will help enhance energy management system performance. The university plans to retrofit a fire protection system into the building and install a single, combined electrical service.
The singular electrical service will provide better distribution and expanded emergency power capacity. To further support building systems, the project will install chilled water coils for the air handling equipment. The expanded emergency power capacity will ensure that all associated units will be connected with appropriate electrical distribution configurations that exist but have been disconnected.
Renovations for the fieldhouse will include building practice facilities for the gymnastics and wrestling programs. The university will relocate the strength center into the fieldhouse and develop additional instructional and research space for the Exercise and Sports Science program. Additional site work will include replacing and installing flooring, wall finishes, lighting and controls.
UW-La Crosse will perform extensive renovation work to ensure the natatorium is in a state of good repair. The university will start by replacing all room and pool finishes, room and pool basin lighting and associated controls, pool basin lining and HVAC system equipment, distribution and controls.
Plans for the aquatic center feature replacing high-bay room lighting fixtures with high-efficiency units. Once the HVAC system is replaced, the natatorium will have better ventilation and humidity controls. Finally, the university will consider building a new entrance to promote accessibility.
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