Health Education and Nicholson Pavilion Ribbon Cutting ceremony scheduled October 20

The Central Washington University community is invited to celebrate the opening of our newest campus facility on Friday, October 20, at 4 p.m. when we host the Health Education and Nicholson Pavilion Ribbon Cutting ceremony.

President Jim Wohlpart will be joined by President Emeritus James Gaudino, Director of Athletics Dennis Francois, and Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies Sathy Rajendran as they introduce the $60.5 million academic and athletics facility to the CWU community.

The 30-minute ceremony on the west patio outside Nicholson Pavilion will be followed by tours of the pavilion, academic and athletic spaces, and the expanded fieldhouse.

The multi-phase project, which broke ground in December 2021, features long-awaited renovations of the 64-year-old Nicholson Pavilion and Purser Hall, including classroom upgrades, additional meeting space, an expanded fieldhouse, two new weight-training areas and the construction of a lobby/vestibule area. 

The project, funded by the Washington Legislature and private donors, provides a new home to the Department of Sports and Movement Studies (SAMS), and offers faculty, staff, and students the space and resources they will need for 21st century instruction and development.

The department houses the state’s largest teacher preparation program in physical education and school health (PESH). Physical activity courses such as weight training, yoga, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and ultimate frisbee will have more indoor and outdoor space to utilize, while the staff and faculty at the Northwest Center for Sport now have their own offices and meeting spaces.

Meanwhile, Nicholson Pavilion has been transformed into a state-of-the-art venue that can host large gatherings such as CWU and high school commencement ceremonies. The in-game experience has also been enhanced with elevated baseline walkways, an open concourse, video ribbon displays for sponsors, an expanded video display and other amenities.

Stop by the west patio outside Nicholson Pavilion next Friday at 4 p.m. to see all the improvements for yourself.