ALLENDALE, MI - Grand Valley State University is spending $12.2 million on a two-story addition to the student recreation center, an expansion that will include three basketball courts, weight equipment, lockers and staff offices.

The 35,000-square-foot addition, approved by GVSU's board of trustees, is expected to be completed by fall 2016 or winter 2017.

Kate Harmon, director of campus recreation, said the university has outgrown the existing student recreation center, which was built in 1996 and expanded in 2002. GVSU has 25,094 students, up from 20,407 in fall 2002, federal data show.

"We were just overcrowded," she said. "Our facility was undersized with the enrollment we have now."

In February, the Board of Trustees approved a separate $7.8 million addition for the recreation center. The 16,900-square-foot addition will house space for strength training equipment, as well as cardio equipment, such as treadmills and elliptical trainers.

In all, the investments total $20 million.

Harmon said it's important that GVSU invest in student recreation facilities.

"Research has shown that college students do better academically when they visit their campus recreation centers," she said. "We want to reduce the barriers that prevent our students from exercising."

The $12.2 million addition approved this week will be built on the southwest side of the recreation center.

Brian McVicar covers education for MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at bmcvicar@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter