Health, fitness and recreation

Thomas M. Ryan Center The University’s 8,000-seat, $54 million Thomas M. Ryan Center officially opened its doors in June 2002 ending a two-year construction project, the largest in the University’s history. The center puts students in prime viewing sections along the floor on three sides of the arena. Because of the steep design of the seating bowl, no seat is more than 74 feet from the action.

With the Ryan Center’s opening, URI said goodbye to Keaney Gym as its main athletic and entertainment venue for basketball games, concerts and special events. URI had long ago outgrown Keaney, which was built in 1953 for a student body of 2,183. The University now enrolls more than 14,000 students. Keaney is now the headquarters of the URI women’s volleyball team and the Institute for International Sport’s New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Cost: $54 million.

Bradford R. Boss Ice Arena The University’s new Bradford R. Boss Ice Arena, located in the athletic complex, offers students and the community a place to slide on the ice all year long. The 2,500-seat, $12 million arena officially opened September 2002. It is the first indoor ice facility in all of southern Rhode Island, and one of only two year-round operational ice rinks in the state. The facility is open about 15 hours a day, seven days a week, for 50 weeks out of the year.

The rink has provided a new home for the University’s top-ranked men’s and women’s club hockey teams as well as for recreational use by students and the skating public. The facility also hosts a learn-to-skate program and various local youth and adult hockey leagues. Cost: $12 million.

Health Services In the fall of 1996, a $1.4 million addition and renovation project was completed at the Potter Building. The effort resulted in a total of 19,000 square feet of ambulatory, clinical care, research, and teaching space. In addition to serving the health care needs of the students, the new facility houses the Oh Family Clinical Laboratory, which is the site of the Helene C. Lewis Cytopathology Program. Major improvements include: the addition of state-of-the-art clinical, examination, and treatment areas; expanded lab, pharmacy, and X-ray facilities; and renovated entrances. Cost: $1.4 million.