The Division of Recreational Sports at the University of Wisconsin-Madison serves over 2 million visitors annually. However, due to aging facilities and investments elsewhere on campus, the recreational spaces lack modern amenities and have fallen behind the expectations of students and visitors, as well as standards by peer institutions. Kahler Slater, along with Hastings & Chivetta, partnered with campus and program stakeholders to identify and quantify the recreational space needs on campus and form a comprehensive master plan to provide a road map for the future.

The Recreational Sports Master Plan's goal was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current and future health and wellness needs for students. The comprehensive Plan process started with and built upon Kahler Slater’s 2008 study which identified the location for a new recreation facility. For this study, a wide range of spaces were reviewed, including a tennis stadium as well as several fields which serve a range of intramural sports. Fitness and wellness spaces were also included. This thorough review and subsequent plan allows for maximum future flexibility so all students, faculty and staff have access to recreational facilities.

The deliverables included conceptual designs and estimates that were used for a student referendum. The referendum passed with 87% of students in favor of the new facilities and fields.

That study resulted in a proposed recreation building expansion at the Natatorium.