The purposeful design—aimed at fueling innovative learning and health and wellness—behind Missouri Baptist University’s new Sports and Recreation Complex is receiving national attention.

The 49,000-square-foot complex is featured in the fall edition of the American School Board Journal’s “Learning by Design,” which recognizes education design projects “that are paving the way for a new era of learning…”

The Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex, which was completed last fall, was awarded General Excellence in creative design for its attention to enhancing student life and furthering the mission of MBU.

St. Louis-based Ittner Architects designed the complex.

The SRC houses the University’s Health and Sports Sciences division, includes a 1,000 seat gymnasium, a suspended indoor track, locker rooms, a concession area in Spartan Hall, state-of-the-art training and fitness centers, new classrooms and offices for faculty and coaching staff. Each piece of cardio equipment in the facility features a 15-inch touch screen display, full iPod compatibility and a personal fan.  Perhaps most notable, the equipment features Virtual Active technology, “transporting” users to various locations throughout the world.

The new facility replaced the University’s Muncy Gymnasium, which served MBU for more than four decades, as the University’s primary athletic complex. MBU is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). More than 500 athletes from across the world compete in MBU’s 23 varsity sports.

Missouri Baptist University is a Christ-centered university located in Saint Louis. MBU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees in education, business and religion and its new terminal degree, the Doctor of Education. In addition to its 66-acre West St. Louis County campus, MBU offers degree programs at nine regional learning centers throughout St. Louis and in Southern Illinois and online. For more information, go to https://www.mobap.edu or call 1- 877-434-1115.