BROOKLYN – Brooklyn College last week celebrated the opening of its new West Quad – a $120 million, 144,000 square foot, five-story complex that offers a one-stop solution for student services, as well as expanded and improved college athletic facilities that will be open to members of the community.

Presiding over the ribbon cutting ceremony were Brooklyn College President Karen L. Gould and Vice Chancellor of CUNY Iris Weinshall, the wife of Sen. Charles Schumer. The building is the first newly constructed facility to open on campus in more than 30 years.

Also on hand for the unveiling were key government partners and supporters including Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn College, class of 1970); New York State Senator John L. Sampson, Assemblyman Joseph Lentol and others. The West Quad was designed by renowned architect Rafael Viñoly.

Financed by state funds, the building includes Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Scholarships, Registration and the Bursar, as well as a Student Service Center with 13 counter stations, a bank of computers to assist students in registration and tuition payment and a full-service café.

The recreational facilities – home to Department of Physical Education & Exercise Science, teaching labs and physical education labs – boast an 11,700-square-foot gym; a 67 by 75-foot swimming pool; three racquetball/squash courts; a two-court practice gym separated by movable partitions; weight and fitness rooms, and more.

“The completion of the West Quad marks an exciting time in the history of Brooklyn College,� said President Gould. “This stunning new space has allowed us to consolidate, streamline and improve student services, while giving our athletic programs and campus and local community access to spectacular recreational facilities.�

The West Quad Project draws inspiration from and reflects the vision of the original 1937 campus design by architect Randolph Evans. Architectural highlights include a glass curtain wall with a monumental glass tower.