Falcon Center

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Falcon Center for Health Education and Wellness occurred in the May of 2014 with eventual construction starting in July.  The Falcon Center consists of a renovation of approximately 180,000 existing square feet in Hunt, Knowles, and the 2005 Locker Room addition.  Approximately 165,000 square footage is being added with highlights including new Classroom and Lab space, Gym spaces, Locker Rooms, a Training Room addition, Strength and Conditioning, and Fitness Center space.  In addition, approximately 30 acres of site work was done that improved or added outdoor fields, parking, and circulation (pedestrian and vehicular).  The Falcon Center will become the main home for the Health and Human Performance department, University Athletics, and Campus Recreation.

As of Summer 2016, construction on the UW-River Falls Falcon Center continues to progress smoothly.  It even appears some limited use of parts of the building will be available as early as fall 2016, with other portions opened over spring 2017.  There is a good chance also (although not confirmed) that fall 2016 Commencement may be held in Knowles this December.  Throughout the coming year, ongoing construction means that access will come with some inconvenience.  Full occupancy is still planned for fall 2017.

Thanks to the good progress being made, the overall construction budget is being respected.  Given these challenging budget times, it is important to remind everyone that State funding for capital projects such as the Falcon Center cannot be used to address shortfalls in operational funding or to make up for budget cuts at the university.  The Falcon Center project is supported primarily by bonded capital funds from the State, and by student segregated fees, charitable gifts, and parking "user fees" that cannot be used for purposes other than those for which they were collected.  The term "bonded" actually signifies that the monies are "borrowed" for a term of 20 years, with the annual bond payments being paid by State general purpose revenue designated to retire debt.  The student segregated fees collected for Falcon Center are also used to make a portion of the annual bond payments.

The Falcon Center is an exciting addition for the campus, one that has been 30 years in the making!  A special thanks to the many faculty and staff who have been involved in making this a reality.  The project will definitely be a benefit to our current and future students, becoming an important driver in recruitment and retention.  Thank you also to the many generous donors who have supported the project with over $2 million in private gifts raised through the UW-River Falls Foundation!