Photo by Lee Pellegrini

The face of lower campus will continue to change this summer with the demolition of the William J. Flynn Recreation Complex. 

Popularly known as “the Rec Plex” or “the Plex,” the building—named for William J. Flynn ’39, Boston College’s athletic director from 1957-90—has provided recreational space and facilities for the University community since opening in 1972. It will be replaced by the Margot Connell Recreation Center, which is nearing completion and scheduled to open this summer.

Edward Stokes, senior construction project manager for BC Facilities Management, said the Rec Plex will be fenced off in preparation for interior abatement, which is likely to last a month. Parking immediately adjacent to the building will be unavailable during the summer.

Demolition will begin toward the end of June, Stokes said: The structure will be taken down and removed from campus in sections, a process that will last until late August. This phase will have the most noticeable impact on the campus, he noted, as trucks enter and depart campus carrying out sections of the building.

After the demolition and removal is finished, a reclamation project on the former Rec Plex site will begin in the fall and continue through the spring. Once completed, the location will include parking, tennis and basketball courts, and green space.

—Sean Smith | University Communications