Behrend dedicates new Erie Hall as fitness, recreation and wellness center

ERIE, Pa. — The dedication of Penn State Behrend’s new Erie Hall — a $28.2 million fitness, recreation and wellness center — drew a crowd of administrators, alumni and coaches to the building’s lobby, where an art display incorporates flooring from the original Erie Hall, which opened in 1952.

Behind them, a steady line of students passed through the facility’s turnstiles. Behrend students contributed more than $10 million of the facility’s cost, drawing from the Student-Initiated Fee, after seeing a need for more recreation space at Behrend. The new Erie Hall, which includes a three-court gymnasium; spin, step and yoga rooms; and training space for the college’s NCAA athletic teams; already is seeing heavy use: More than 4,400 people enter the building every week.

“The building is very welcoming,” said Brian Streeter, senior director of athletics at Behrend. “It enhances the environment our students learn in, and it helps them enjoy their time at Penn State Behrend.”