Sports and Health Complex Capital Project

Sports Complex Rendering

A proposed Fitness Center Building is identified by a red star in this architectural rendering.

Introduction: Health Promotes Student Success

TMCC is firmly committed to student success for all its students and their diverse educational goals, including commitment to their physical health and wellness.

  • 1 out of 5 high school students skip applying to a college based on a campus’ health and wellness offerings (according to the Partnership for a Healthier America).
  • Physical health and wellness is a critical factor for student success, especially in today’s world
  • 1/3 of U.S. population are overweight

TMCC serves many members of the Reno-Sparks community that have been traditionally underserved with limited access to wellness amenities. Increased fitness options and athletics at the Dandini Campus will enhance the campus and the community it serves. As competition for enrollment increases, TMCC must do more to attract and retain students by providing a robust collegiate experience.

Project Scope

TMCC is proposing a Sports and Health Complex which would be completed through the construction of two elements:

  1. A new Fitness Center Building
  2. A Recreational Field House and Building
Future Fitness Center Rendering

Architectural rendering of the new Fitness Center.

The Sports and Health Complex project will be located on the Dandini Campus, with a Fitness Center building located to the northeast of the existing Sierra Building, and a Recreation Field to be built on the eastern side of campus where there are no existing services.

Element 1: Fitness Center, approx. 20,000 square feet

  • Fitness center
  • Weight room
  • Multi-use basketball area
  • Three exercise rooms
  • Entry/lobby/reception
  • Office space
  • Lockers
  • Restrooms/storage

Element 2: Recreation Field, total site approx. 170,000 square feet

  • Multi-use sports area - 120 yds. X 80 yds. (soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football)
  • 3-lane walking/running track
  • Bleacher seating
  • Utility building (storage, concessions)
Sports Complex Field Rendering

The proposed Recreational Field, in this architectural rendering, would be constructed on the east side of the Dandini Campus.

Project Timeline

In the Fall of 2016, TMCC Student Government Association (SGA) proposed the construction of the Sports and Health Complex.

SGA surveyed students regarding their interest in adding an athletics program at TMCC and their support for a per-credit fee to build and maintain facilities. The SGA leadership unanimously voted in November of 2016 to move forward with the project request to TMCC administration and Board of Regents.

In late 2016, the architecture firm that developed our Facilities Master Plan in 2014 drafted an amendment to the plan. Since then, TMCC has worked with architect Jim Mickey to provide preliminary project designs, cost estimates and building designs.

Upon input from campus community and additional conversations, the scope and cost of the project were changed. SGA conducted a second survey to confirm students support for the changed scope of the project. 756 students responded to the survey, with 57% of students responding that they would support a per-credit fee; 49% of all survey respondents indicated they would support a $5 or higher per-credit fee.

Project Cost: $14 Million

TMCC will contribute $1.5 million from its existing reserves to the Sports and Health Complex and finance the remainder through a $5 per credit fee ($4.50 construction, $0.50 operations) as identified in the Spring 2017 SGA survey to students. The construction fees would sunset at the conclusion of the debt service, now projected at 25 years.

Fee collections are based on an assumption that enrollment levels may decline by 5% in the coming years. In the event that enrollment levels stabilize or improve, the additional revenue will be used to retire the debt earlier. Additional Physical Education classes offered in the facility are expected to generate approximately 780 student credit hours per year. TMCC would provide free access to the new Fitness Center to all students who pay the per credit fees.

The Nevada System of Higher Education has received authorization from the State of Nevada to issue revenue bonds to finance multiple capital projects, including TMCC’s Sports and Health Complex.