LSU University Recreation officially began the renovation process with the announcement of the two firms chosen to complete the first phase of the project. The firms selected include 360 Architecture of Kansas City, Kan. and Grace & Hebert Architects. Laurie Braden, director of University Recreation, said the firms were officially selected in late May, but planning began last week. “LSU began exploration of this step forward as far back as 2002, and over the last two years, UREC has funded planning and exploration of this next step through our operational budget,” Braden said. “Our planning and design phase, that we are currently in, was funded from UREC reserves. [Wednesday] was our first official day of planning.” The expansion and redesign will be funded by student fees. Braden said she expects both firms to complete all three phases of the renovation. 360 Architecture has a large and varied portfolio with projects across the nation. Those projects include the New Meadowlands Stadium, Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Football Stadium and Basra Sports City – a 65,000-person Stadium in Basra, Iraq. Grace & Hebert Architects is a Baton-Rouge-based firm that has completed many local projects. Currently, it is creating a new building for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association. In addition, it is working on the Lafayette Public Safety Complex. This will not be the first time the firm has worked with the University. Grace & Hebert Associates previously completed the design for the new Alex Box Stadium and recently finished renovations to the Student Union. Marketing Director Scott Belanger said although two firms were named, both will work in collaboration. The planning phase tasks the UREC staff with figuring out how to craft the new facilities. Although drawings of each phase have been posted on the University Recreation website, “a lot of the plans are just potential,” according to Adventure Education Coordinator Chris Bullard. “We are going through with the architects and figuring out what the new facility will look like,” Bullard explained. “For example, I’m tasked with figuring out the details for the Adventure Center next to the pool. I think there will be a lot of collaboration between different programs.” Bullard said the first phase of renovation is huge for Adventure Education. “It is a big thing for us, especially with the Adventure Center being next to the pool,” he said “It is hopefully going to provide a hub, so people can see what Adventure Education is all about.”
 
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