Columbia Basin College has completed a $35 million, student-funded recreation center that provides much needed space for sports, fitness and other activities.

The 80,000-square-foot center has a 12,000-square-foot fitness center, two multipurpose classrooms, space for student athletes, esports and separate locker rooms for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, visitors and referees/coaches.

It also boasts a performance court and a practice court, both suited for volleyball and basketball.

A separate multipurpose court can be used for pickleball and futsal. The performance court is named for Cheryl Holden, longtime women’s basketball coach and current vice president for student services. Holden was admitted to the NWAC Hall of Fame in 2018 for her efforts to build the CC women’s basketball program.

The building opened to students on May 31. Demolition of the old gym will be complete by September.

In addition to serving CBC students, the center will serve as a resource to the Tri-City community and recently won a bid to host the men’s and women’s NAWAC basketball tournaments for the next three years.

RGU Architecture and Planning of Asotin was the design firm.

Lydig Construction was the general contractor.

Dave Hickman of the CBC Department of Enterprise Services oversaw construction on land already owned by the college.

CBC students voted in 2018 to support the project by levying a fee of $50 per quarter.