By the first day of classes in mid-August, LSU students will be able to see a new and improved UREC Student Recreation Complex.
The state of Louisiana gave the UREC permission to begin construction on a two-part facility renovation project Tuesday.
The plan includes exterior and interior renovations.
Construction will occur in phases, allowing the main entrance to still be used.
Exterior renovation will extend the main entrance to the curb, reconfigure staff lots to be pedestrian-friendly, expand the service parking lot and feature new landscaping and brick pavement. Construction will begin later this week, said Brad Wilson, UREC interim associate director of operations and project management.
Interior renovations will combine the operations desk, supervisor office and the ID desk into an all-purpose UREC operations desk.
Wilson said the consolidation will “provide more efficient and better customer service.”
“Consolidation allows us to operate by one person at slow times,” said Scott Belanger, UREC interim assistant director of marketing.
Interior construction is set to begin July 5, but the UREC has already begun to construct desks and make necessary purchases. During this time, temporary ID stations and operations desk will be set up.
“We need to keep up and keep fresh. [Renovation] allows us to put a cleaner, less sterile look on the building,” Wilson said.
Wilson said operational reserves are being used for the renovation and the UREC is well within budget. Interior renovation will cost approximately $95,000, and exterior renovation will cost approximately $319,000. No student or faculty membership fees have changed.
Wilson said parking and traffic might be affected. No street will be completely blocked off, but some may be reduced to one lane.
“There will be some need of flexibility for students or those who drive past the facility,” he said.
Both projects are anticipated to be completed August 22. Minor details may push completion to September, but Wilson said final details will “not be a hindrance to any service to students.”
Nursing sophomore Amanda Rehms said, “Change is never a bad thing.”
To see renderings of projected renovations, visit lsu.edu/urec/html/src_construction.
 
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Contact Kaitlin Torke at [email protected]