The highly anticipated upgrade of New Mexico State University’s James B. Delamater Activity Center is nearing completion, offering students a brand-new weight room in the fitness center.
The updated weight room features new cardio equipment, training machines, dumbbells, and CrossFit zones. What once held 75 people can now hold up to 250, which could help eliminate long waits and give students more opportunities in the fitness center.
The construction for the new gym was split into two phases. Phase one of planning began in May 2023. It included renovating the old basketball courts into a new, spacious weight room. A year later, construction began, and on July 28, the facility officially opened, just in time for the fall semester.
“It feels like a real gym, and not just a small recreation center for students,” Araceli Franco, a student who uses the weight room, said. “I’m able to walk in and use the machines right away — I never have to wait.”
In addition to the new weight room, the rec center still offers four basketball and volleyball courts, four racquetball courts, two climbing walls, a track, and private rooms for cycling, dance, and yoga — giving students options for both team sports and personal training.
“The fitness center welcomes all students, not only athletes. It’s a cool environment and we stay busy during the week,” Activity Center employee, Matthew Baldwin, said.
Phase two of the project is currently underway with hopes of completion before Jan. 2026. The old weight room, located on the west side of the Activity Center, will be renovated into a student study lounge, similar to the ones in Corbett Center Student Union. These new lounges will be open to all students and will include private study cubicles, tables, and couches — offering a cozy place to study or unwind with friends.
Michelle Mason, Deputy Head of Intramural Sports and Recreation, told The Round Up, “We wanted students who spend a lot of their day in Corbett to be able to have a place where they can have downtime and feel comfortable between classes.”
For many students, the new lounge represents added convenience and a chance to spend more time on campus without having to leave the rec center.
“I’m really excited to hear about the new lounge area,” NMSU student, Bryce Howard said. “Having to walk all the way to Corbett in between classes is inconvenient, so it will be nice to have a lounge area right here in the rec center.”
The primary chunk of funding—approximately $4.3 million—came from the Student Fee Revenue Bond, which gave the university the chance to immediately start planning the renovations.
“I really have to give credit to Garret Mosley,” Mason said. “He really worked hard to get us where we are now.”
Former ASNMSU President, Garrett Mosley, proposed the project to upgrade the rec center for all students and staff. Totaling $4 million, this project was ultimately approved by the Board of Regents and seen as an opportunity to give students access to more resources.
“As a student saving money, I was happy to see the new upgrades made to the rec center, having it offers the same things that a public gym would,” Sierra Roberts, a junior beginning to use the weight room, said.
Despite the construction, the rec center has remained open and will continue to operate under normal business hours, allowing students and Aggie Fit members access to the weight room, courts, Rockwall, and track.
“The goal of the transformation of the recreation center was to match the experience of a private gym, making sure students who can’t afford outside memberships still have access to top-quality facilities,” Mason said.
The official grand opening for phase one is scheduled for early October. This weight room is a project students say has already made a big
impact.
“The gym definitely offers everything that I’ve needed coming from a public gym, Brianna Arroyo, a student excited about using the Rec Center, said. “Plus, it’s free!”
