{"id":95946,"date":"2021-08-26T15:41:50","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T20:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/?p=95946"},"modified":"2024-09-27T09:58:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T14:58:51","slug":"uwm-breaks-ground-on-addition-to-klotsche-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/uwm-breaks-ground-on-addition-to-klotsche-center\/","title":{"rendered":"UWM breaks ground on addition to Klotsche Center"},"content":{"rendered":"

UW-Milwaukee took a big step toward meeting the growing needs of its men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball programs by breaking ground on an addition of the Klotsche Center and Pavilion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new facility is well worth the wait,\u201d Amanda Braun, UWM director of athletics, said at a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 25. \u201cIt will strengthen the basketball programs, benefit all students and create another selling point for UWM.\u201d<\/p>\n

The addition of the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Center will reduce competition for space within Klotsche, which is used by UWM\u2019s Division I athletics programs, intramural leagues and individual students.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a game changer for student-athletes and students,\u201d said Cathy Rossi, UWM deputy director of athletics. \u201cFacilities like this are becoming the norm in Division I college athletics.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Center will provide 16,000 square feet of space to meet the needs of the basketball program. (Rendering courtesy of HGA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 16,000-square-foot expansion<\/a> will feature a full-sized basketball court that mirrors the game surfaces, a basketball strength and conditioning center, video room, auxiliary sports medicine and treatment center, and basketball student-athlete lounge.<\/p>\n

\u201cHGA did a great job designing the space,\u201d Kyle Rechlicz, UWM women\u2019s basketball head coach. \u201cOrthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Center fosters cross-team bonding and supports the players as both students and athletes.\u201d (HGA is the architect on the project.)<\/p>\n

More dedicated practice space for the basketball programs affords athletes more time to develop their skills, said Pat Baldwin, UWM men\u2019s basketball head coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt helps attract the kind of athlete we are looking for \u2014 the kind dedicated on the court and the classroom,\u201d Baldwin said.<\/p>\n

While the space is designed for the UWM basketball program, the addition will benefit all students by allowing intramural teams to have more playing time and space in Klotsche. Popular intramural programs like soccer, football and baseball will now have more room to grow.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is incredibly exciting time for the UWM athletes, students and campus,\u201d UWM Chancellor Mark Mone said at the groundbreaking. \u201cIncreased access to the Klotsche Center will improve overall physical and mental health on campus.\u201d<\/p>\n