Penn State students and staff were on hand to celebrate the official ground-breaking for the renovation-expansion of the Intramural Building at University Park. The Intramural Building was constructed in 1975, when fall enrollment at the University Park campus was 32,068. Fall 2012 enrollment at the campus is 45,351. In 2006 a University study indicated a significant deficit in recreational space at University Park, particularly a lack of fitness facilities on the eastern portion of campus near East Halls residences.To address those needs, this project will upgrade the facility's existing 117,000 square feet through a partial renovation and also create an addition of 48,000 square feet.The Intramural Building’s student-funded renovation and expansion will be paid for primarily with University Park’s Student Facilities Fee funds. Of the total $26.1 million cost of the first phase of the IM Building's improvements, $25.1 million is covered by the fee. Although construction began in February, the official groundbreaking event was held to recognize Penn State students’ support of the project.