The Michigan State University Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to proceed with the demolition of IM West at the board's meeting on Friday.

The vote follows more than a year of deliberation over the fate of the facility. MSU Spokesperson Emily Guerrant said the university has yet to decide how the space will be used after the demolition, though the board resolution states the site would be converted to green space.

According to the resolution, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, opening to students in May, serves as the replacement for IM West, which has “exceeded its useful life."

The resolution also cites a significant backlog of deferred maintenance and outdated building systems including its ventilation and the lack of air conditioning in the majority of the facility.

The demolition is slated to cost $6.9 million and will be funded through capital reserves.

Guerrant said the demolition is scheduled for Spring 2027, adding that the indoor pool at IM West will remain open until January 2027, while construction on the new natatorium continues. 

Trustee Mike Balow said he would not support the demolition, arguing that the vote should be delayed until the Student Health and Wellness Center opens to students. He called the vote preemptive and had concerns of overcrowding if demolition were to proceed today.

“We know that taking down IM West does create some shortages, we’re gaining some but we’re losing some,” Balow said. “My preference would be to leave this open for a while until we can be absolutely sure. But if the will of the board is to take it down, then we need to focus on what the next step is.”

Balow added that increasing the square footage of recreational facilities on campus will need to be a focus for the university moving forward and issued "a challenge to any donors that want to put their name on a building."

"The new rec center could be that, a large donation that could go to benefit student sports — or the next one at IM East," Balow said.