Construction is scheduled to begin in January on a recreation and wellness center for the Macon campus of what will be Middle Georgia State College.

The $21.5 million center will be located on the north side of the Macon campus lake, across Ivey Drive from College Station, the student residential community, according to a statement from the school.

Planned features of the center include an aquatics area; fitness area; basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts; an interactive gaming area; and indoor walking track.

Middle Georgia State College will be created in January 2013 through the consolidation of Macon State (which has campuses in Macon and Warner Robins) and Middle Georgia College (which has campuses in Cochran, Dublin and Eastman).

The new facility and other recreation and wellness enhancements had been planned for Macon State for several years, but those plans were put on hold while the college worked through the consolidation process.

The college also will continue to expand recreation and wellness on the Warner Robins campus. This fall, Macon State opened the Warner Robins Activity Center & Café, which includes a fitness center, video gaming area, ping pong and pool tables, and a food service area. The campus has also developed a walking trail.

A recreation and wellness fee will be reinstated this spring for students taking classes on Macon and Warner Robins campuses. Students in Cochran, Dublin and Eastman will not pay the fee.