Montana State celebrates opening of new Student Wellness Center

BOZEMAN - Hundreds of people gathered on the shiny floor in the gymnasium of Montana State University's Student Wellness Center Monday afternoon to celebrate the opening of the new facility.

The 162,000-square-foot building, located at 950 W. Grant St., will house the offices of Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Advancement and Student Health Services to provide a single, convenient location for student health, well-being and recreation services.

"This building proudly proclaims that Montana State University cares about whole-student health and that we have designed an environment where wellness is not an afterthought but a priority," said MSU President Waded Cruzado. "Ultimately, Montana State University's mission is to help our students succeed - and to succeed not just as students, but as individuals. This building advances that mission, and we are just so delighted to have it open."

Cruzado spoke from a podium in the middle of the gymnasium's three basketball courts, which can also be used for pickleball and volleyball. Just to the north of the basketball courts is a multi-activity court with artificial turf and lined with Plexiglas walls.

Above, many of the 150 employees from Student Wellness stood on the elevated indoor track that circles the gymnasium. The east end of the building also features a bouldering area, 45-foot climbing wall, pool and multiple fitness studios. At the Office of Campus Recreation, which is housed on the same side of the building, students can sign up for intramurals and expeditions, rent gear and even tune their bicycles and skis.

The center, common area of the building features places for students to gather, relax and study, along with an indoor walking area, with an east-to-west indoor "sidewalk" that can offer respite from inclement weather for pedestrians traveling down Grant Street. The Office of Health Advancement, which educates students on drug use, sexual health, nutrition and stress management, is located nearby.

The three-story west end of the Student Wellness Center is home to the offices of Counseling and Psychological Services and Student Health Services. It will include a primary care center, dental clinic, pharmacy and MSU's food pantry, the Bounty of the Bridgers.

"Wellness is fundamental to our success as individuals and as a community, and this new wellness center will serve as a hub for conversations and actions promoting both physical and mental health opportunities," said Steve Swinford, vice president of student success.

Near the medical services area are laboratories used by the College of Education, Health and Human Development to study kinesiology and nutrition as they relate to human health and performance, according to the college's dean, Tricia Seifert. The labs feature state-of-the-art equipment needed to study amateurs, collegiate athletes and even Olympic hopefuls, she said, adding that the U.S. biathlon team will train here ahead of the 2026 Olympics.

Jacob Zink, president of the Associated Students of MSU, told the crowd how weather and his predecessors led to the creation of new Student Wellness Center. In March 2019, the roof of the old fitness center gymnasiums collapsed under heavy snow. Campus administrators worked with students to create a plan for what is now the Student Wellness Center. ASMSU members campaigned for the project, and MSU students voted overwhelmingly to pay for the new Student Wellness Center.

Before and after the speeches, ground-blessing and ribbon-cutting, students and other members of the MSU community roamed the building, ogling the new equipment and offices.

Amber Long, associate vice president for Student Wellness, encouraged students to take full advantage of the new hub for health and well-being.

"Our team has worked really, really hard to create a welcoming environment and I hope you feel that vibe today and every day you come into this facility," Long said. "Our No. 1 goal is to make it easier to be healthy."