Following a report from the Multipurpose Center Work Group on Feb. 11, the Board of Trustees reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the Multipurpose Center project and reiterated the importance of its original goals including increasing the space available to all UVM students for recreation, wellness and fitness activities and upgrading facilities for intercollegiate athletics. To date, the university has invested over $67 million in the project, which includes a new group fitness hub and multi-use activity court (MAC) that have significantly enhanced recreation space available for the general student body since opening last year. 

“I’m encouraged that the work group and full board continue to support this critical project,” said UVM Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman. “While the pandemic and a changed landscape for construction financing have created significant financial challenges, I appreciate that our donors, along with university leaders and trustees, remain fully committed to seeing this project through to completion.” 

The report also provided an update on the financial outlook of the project. The work group discussed potential funding options and recommended the continued pursuit of all sources of funding, including philanthropy, to help realize the project’s goals. The work group determined that an additional $87 million is needed to complete construction.

“Today, the board unanimously affirmed our commitment to this project and our belief that the plan approved in 2019 remains the best path forward for UVM,” said chair Ron Lumbra. “The board is also keenly aware of the significant resources required to complete the project and we will work intently with our partners to identify funding solutions. We remain grateful for the generosity of the project’s many supporters.”