Another milestone was reached Friday, July 1, in the construction of WPI’s new sports and recreation center, as the first bricks were laid in the wall that faces the football field.

This week’s installation of air handling units atop the sports and recreation center marked a major milestone for the project.

WPI President and CEO Dennis Berkey and Gilbane Construction Co. project manager Neil Benner led members of the WPI community in celebrating a historic moment on campus on Tuesday, May 10.

This historic ceremony starts at 2 p.m., and the entire WPI campus community is invited to attend. It will be held (rain or shine) on the northeast corner of the football field, closest to the sports and recreation center.

As construction continues on the sports and recreation center, Santa Claus will set up shop this afternoon at the “mock-up”/test structure located near the middle of the Quad. There, he will greet children from Friendly House and give out candy canes. Of course, children of WPI employees are also welcome to meet Jolly Ol’ St. Nick!

As construction continues on the sports and recreation center, Santa Claus will set up shop Dec. 16 at the future facility’s “mock-up”/test structure located near the middle of the Quad. There, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., he will greet children from Friendly House. Of course, children of WPI employees are also welcome to meet Jolly Ol’ St. Nick!

The construction of WPI’s state-of-the-art sports and recreation center continues to make strides. This week, the pre-casting for the pool is being installed.

The sports and recreation center will serve as a state-of-the-art point of pride for the WPI community when it opens in August 2012.

The state-of-the-art project’s first delivery of steel beams have arrived at the construction site.