The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Kress Events Center was highlighted in the recent article "20 Most Impressive College Gyms and Student Rec Centers" by Best Value Schools. Because of the increasingly important role these facilities play in university life, the editors of Best Value Schools sought to understand the trend more deeply and invested several weeks researching the ultimate student recreation and campus fitness centers. In doing so, they consulted university websites, local and regional news sources, and portfolios of architecture, project management and construction firms, and specialty vendors. They were looking for facilities that offered both outstanding opportunities for physical recreation and also exceptional attention to design detail and aesthetics.
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Kress Events Center was fifth on the list. The article cited the Kress Events Center as the "most generous in terms of square footage per student, at 26 square feet per student." The $28.5 million project incorporates a suspended running track, a climbing wall, and a pool. As a symbol of the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability, it meets LEED silver certification standards. The facility features a fully equipped fitness and wellness area. It contains a turf gym for year-round soccer practice and multiple volleyball and basketball courts. Most importantly, however, it is the home court for the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay’s championship women’s basketball and volleyball teams.