The Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center is one of three new developments in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Masterplan. The Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center opened in April 2023, replacing the campus’s nearly 60-year-old Southeast Recreational Facility (SERF). The new $113.2 million facility was named after generous donors, Jim and Sue Bakke.

The new, 29,000 SF Bakke is designed to foster a holistic approach to student health and wellness. Each floor features dedicated spaces for wellness, recreation, and fun. The first floor features a newly renovated natatorium, designed and engineered by WTI, named The Cove. The natatorium offers a comprehensive aquatic experience for all skill levels featuring a 25-yard pool with eight lanes suitable for competitive and recreational swimming, and professional training. Designed for inclusivity, The Cove Pool is equipped with an aquatic lift, a ramp, and stairs for easy accessibility. The pool is intended for recreational lap swimming by the student population and the wider community.

In addition to the natatorium, the center boasts a variety of fitness and recreation amenities including eight multipurpose courts, a Sub-Zero Ice Arena, a climbing and bouldering wall, sports simulators, multipurpose studios, an indoor jogging track, a rooftop fitness area, and over 29,000 square feet of fitness space, providing students, faculty, and staff with a vibrant and inclusive environment to pursue physical and mental well-being.

“Opening the Bakke Center is a significant milestone for overall health and well-being on campus,” says Aaron Hobson, director of Rec Well. “This building marks the third project in our master plan, which is focused not only on building larger spaces to meet students’ needs but it is also about creating an inclusive movement that places holistic wellbeing at the center of our work.”