The University of Dayton plans to expand its RecPlex starting in early 2025 to include new state-of-the-art health and counseling centers slated to open in fall 2026.

No tuition dollars will be used for the project. A fundraising initiative and a yet-to-be-determined student fee, which will be implemented in the 2026-27 academic year and shared upfront in students' transparent financial aid offers, will support the expansion and significant increase in services. Current students will not be assessed this charge. Once implemented, undergraduate students no longer will pay for UD Campus Recreation memberships, group fitness classes, intramural sports, testing in the student health center for strep, flu, mono, COVID, and others; and flu shots. 

"This is a long-term investment in the University's infrastructure and student success; our current facilities are outdated and our new facilities and associated programming are designed to be first-class. Such investments are crucial as we streamline and pursue strategic directions to maintain a healthy operating budget. They reflect the trustees' and our confidence in UD's future," said University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina. "This project is essential to enriching the undergraduate experience, and underscores our commitment to student well-being and its foundational role in academic and personal success." 

Here is a summary of the project; UD's board of trustees has approved the plans, which will be submitted to the city of Dayton for zoning and building permits later this fall:

• A 15,400-square-foot student health center will allow for the addition of two physicians and two registered nurses for the academic year and increase the capacity to see students by 80%. The new facility will allow the student health center to increase its number of exam rooms from nine to 16, provide two additional procedure rooms, and add an allergy/injection room and a nurse telehealth room. 
• A 13,200-square-foot counseling center will allow for the addition of three therapists for the academic year plus a year-round full-time psychiatric provider; and four part-time master's level clinicians, increasing clinical hours by 46%. The facility will also allow the counseling center to increase its group therapy/multipurpose spaces from one to four.
• There will be 5,300 square feet of additional and renovated space in the RecPlex, which will include a larger studio space, expanded weight room, improved office space for staff, and connectivity between buildings.
• The RecPlex also will house a full-time clinical dietitian for individuals with disordered eating behaviors, food allergies or restrictions because of other health issues.
• Modifications to parking lots S2 and RP8, and the RecPlex's east entrance.
• The new facilities will be LEED version 4.0 certified.
• The University anticipates the project will achieve its goal of involving more than 20% of its subcontractors and vendors from minority, women-owned and local businesses.