Pitt moves ahead with plans for $255M campus recreation center, no parking included

The University of Pittsburgh is moving forward with plans to build a $255 million recreation center on its Oakland campus.

Pittsburgh’s planning commission approved plans for the development on O’Hara Street at its meeting Tuesday.

“This new, nine-story structure will house gymnasiums, squash courts, a swimming pool and areas dedicated to fitness, food service, wellness and multipurpose and club sports,” said Chuck Alcorn, a planner for Pitt.

With about 400,000 square feet, the facility is also slated to have a spa, a game room, locker rooms and racquetball courts, according to design plans presented to the planning commission.

The new structure will be built at a site that formerly housed the O’Hara Parking Garage and the Learning and Research Development Center, which were torn down in 2020.

Pitt’s Property and Facilities Committee authorized $255 million for the project in April.

No parking included

Pitt’s presentation to the planning commission Tuesday showed the recreation center will include parking spots for 64 bicycles and 450 cars. Additional parking to replace spots lost when the parking garage was torn down will come with a future campus development, the university indicated.

But university spokesman Jared Stonesifer said Wednesday night that no parking will be available in this project.

University officials plan to plant trees around the new recreation center and are exploring public art installations for the site.

An accessible route for students to walk through the building will be available 24 hours a day.

“It’s going to be this wonderful landmark on your campus,” Commissioner Becky Mingo said. “I’m super excited about this building.”

Commissioner Holly Dick urged university officials to consider opening the facility to nearby Oakland residents.

The university broke ground on the site in September and said at the time that it hoped to complete construction by fall 2024.