Campus News

New Era of Heath, Wellness & Athletics Begins at Westminster

$15 Million Dollar Center Opens to Rave Reviews

February 10, 2006

SALT LAKE CITY  - In a dedication ceremony at Westminster College today, the new Dolores Doré Eccles Health, Wellness and Athletic Center was officially opened. The $15 million, three-story, 84,500-square-foot building rests on the southwest corner of campus and is now the largest facility at Westminster.

In addition to providing a brand new, state-of-the-art home for the college’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences, the new center houses a swimming pool, full complement of fitness equipment, a weight room and exercise studio and a technically challenging, 46-foot climbing wall that soars toward a skylight. In addition to a field house that holds 1,200 spectators, multiple playing courts and a suspended running track with a high-tech surface.

Westminster College President Michael Bassis remarked, “The center will make a profound difference in the lives of the Westminster College community for decades to come. Providing an array of fitness, wellness and recreation programs, a home for Griffins athletics and state-of-the-art technologies for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, the facility is designed to become a comprehensive center that will benefit the entire campus community.”

The center’s name recognizes the lead gift from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation that was key to launching the building project. “We have been pleased to be involved in this project since its beginnings in 1999,” said Foundation Treasurer and Director Robert M. Graham, speaking at the Grand Opening. “It is exciting to see this long-held dream become a reality. This beautiful new facility will be a tremendous resource for Westminster that will play an important part in the life of its students and the campus community for decades to come.”

Salt Lake County Mayor, Peter Corroon was also on hand for the ceremony which also included some unusual ribbon cutting events at the pool, climbing wall and running track. Each event featured members of the college’s student body, faculty and staff in ceremonial competitions in which the first person to the ribbon broke it in the style of a runner crossing the finish line; in the case of the rock climbing wall participants grabbed the ribbon once they reached the top.

George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation President Spencer F. Eccles has previously remarked that his aunt Dolores Doré Eccles, the building’s namesake, would be “very proud, though a bit embarrassed, to have this building bear her name.” He added, “It is fitting that the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation is carrying on the dedication to living life to its fullest and healthiest that were part and parcel to the lives of our founders, my Aunt Lolie and Uncle George.”