BOULDER - The University of Colorado-Boulder has broken ground on a $63 million remodel and expansion of its Student Recreation Center.

The project includes a new outdoor pool, an indoor turf gym, an expanded space for weight and cardiovascular fitness training, more fitness studio space, a renovated ice rink, and a new climbing gym and bouldering area.

When it is complete, the recreation center will be about 30 percent larger than the existing building. The remodel also includes about $25 million for deferred maintenance, including heating and cooling and fire safety upgrades.

Student leaders initiated the project. Funding will come from bond sales, which are to be repaid through student fees collected over a 25-year period. The center will remain open throughout the construction, which is scheduled to last through fall 2013.

Architectural design for the remodel and expansion was done by Davis Partnership LLC architectural firm in Denver in conjunction with Cannon Design, based in Chicago. The general contractor in charge of the project is Saunders Construction Inc. of Centennial.

A ground-breaking ceremony will be held at 4 p.m., Oct. 4, at the outdoor pool patio on the south side of the recreation center. The center is located near the northeast corner of Macky Drive and Pleasant Street on the north side of the CU-Boulder campus.