After recent discussions between LSU University Recreation and Student Government, students could see a fee increase if a resolution to expand the UREC facilities is created and passed.
UREC Director Laurie Braden said she is interested in hearing feedback from students on the idea to expand the UREC facilities, which continue to experience high student demand, for an additional fee.
The current UREC fee for a full-time student is $65 each semester. If the expansion were approved, Braden said one possible scenario would include a $45 fee increase each year for the next three years, which would eventually add up to and cap at a $200 fee per semester, Braden said. 
According to Braden, the fee should not exceed $200 each semester. At Auburn University, the recreation center fee is $150 this semester but will increase to $200 in the fall of 2012.
Braden sent out a broadcast e-mail Tuesday with a link to a survey asking students about their thoughts on the project.
The survey will close on Nov. 14, and on Nov. 16, SG will consider the results of the survey at its weekly meeting, as the survey relates to resolutions for moving forward with the expansion project.
SG Senate Speaker Aaron Caffarel said the Senate will discuss the recommended student fee approved by Braden if students are in favor of the idea of expansion. If students are not in favor, the Senate will weigh three less costly design options and see what can be done.
SG President Cody Wells said the UREC has been asking for a similar student fee since 2002 to improve the facilities. ?
Wells said he hopes the project will be approved this year in order to allow construction to begin as soon as possible.
Braden said there is no official starting date scheduled for design decisions or construction since the project is still in the idea phase.
“This project is up to students,” she said. “When students are ready to do this, it will begin. Students will drive and decide the level and scope of the UREC.”
While the present gym space in the UREC equates to 31,605 square feet, Braden said she hopes to increase the space to 78,167 square feet. In order to accommodate large crowds in the facilities, the project also plans to create an additional 250 X-lot parking spaces.
Today, the UREC contains three multipurpose rooms in which group exercise, one of the many uses of the rooms, takes place. The project would expand the space of the multipurpose rooms from 6,850 to 20,350 square feet while also increasing lobbies and lounges from 2,900 to 6,600 square feet.
While the UREC rents outdoor equipment, including kayaks and canoes, it doesn’t have an outdoor adventure center. With the project, an outdoor adventure center equating to 2,850 square feet will be created, Braden said.
Additionally, the University is the only SEC school that doesn’t have an outdoor leisure pool, but the project plans to construct a pool and increase the aquatic facilities from 7,440 to 42,000-square feet.
 
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]