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A s soon as spring arrives at the Universit y of Wisconsin-Madison, stu- dents and staff flock out- side at the first sign of warm weather—thrilled to finally enjoy fresh air after a long, cold winter. But this year, many of them couldn't wait to get inside and take advantage of the highly anticipated opening of Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center. The facility opened in April 2023, the result of a 2014 referendum, which was overwhelmingly approved by stu- dents as part of University Recreation & Wellbeing's master plan. "There was a lot of buzz around this building and people wanted to come in and see it," said Bill Riggins, Assistant Director of Ice Operations. "It's a beauti- ful building with a great location right on Lake Mendota. There are also copious amounts of windows, so you can really get a good view of some beautiful scenery while you're here." Construction on the $95 million facil- ity began in the spring of 2021. Just two years later, it has transformed into a space that better fits students' needs on campus and serves as a home for all sorts of fitness and wellbeing activities. Supporting students Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center features a massage studio, meditation rooms, peer wellness coaching rooms and the Wolf Teaching Kitchen. There's a 25-yard recreational pool, a climbing and bouldering wall, eight multipurpose 18 / JULY.AUGUST.2023 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: UW-MADISON RECREATION & WELLBEING Featured Rink Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center | | Madison, Wis. Madison's brand-new rec center gives University of Wisconsin students chills by ELIZABETH BOGER SUB-ZERO SANCTUARY