The Student Recreation Complex will be undergoing an estimated $5.2 million expansion and renovation over the next 12-18 months.
The project, scheduled for completion for fall of 2006, is funded by student fees.
Michael Giles Jr., associate director of operations of the complex, said the fundamental reasons for the project are to increase square footage and update the facility to meet additional needs of students.
“When this facility was built in 1992, trends and other services were at one level,” Giles said. “Now in 2005 going into 2006, the exercise trends, fitness trends and needs of our students are different than what they were back then.”
Giles said construction should start in August, but there is no date set because bids for the project will not be opened until July 19.
The complex has already begun to prepare for the project with the closure of the second floor circuit weight room, cardio area, power lifting room and women’s-only weight room.
Most of the equipment from these areas has been relocated to gym courts one and two.
The complex will expand roughly 6,900 square feet to create a new cardio area and approximately 85,000 square feet will be renovated.
The new cardio area will be inclusive to all patrons and will house approximately 60 machines and have a theater wall with up to 10 televisions.
The main weight room will remain on the first floor, but it will double from its current size to become a central weight and fitness area.
Giles said the inclusive weight, fitness and cardio areas will allow patrons to access one general area to meet their needs instead of traveling between the first and second floors.
The multi-purpose room on the second floor will expand from one studio into three studios to provide activities and classes simultaneously throughout the day.
There will also be three new audio-visual multimedia classrooms on the first floor for student organizations and university departments to use.
Giles said the access and guest service areas will be redesigned to allow for more efficient entry and service.
The complex will also have a new vending area near the entrance, which will include a Smoothie King.
The renovation of the complex will also include repainting hallways, changing light fixtures and replacing the ceiling to create a more modern and spacious appearance.
Giles said the project will be done in phases to cause the least amount of inconvenience as possible, and as phases are completed those areas will open.
The area north of the complex, between the building and the tennis courts, will become the construction staging area, which Giles said will affect sororities and fraternities who travel through the area.
Giles said there also will be shutdowns of certain areas of the complex during different times of the project, and the first area to be affected will be the second floor.
Group exercise and sports club participants who use the multipurpose room on the second floor will be relocated to the racquetball and basketball courts, which Giles said results in a shortage of courts during the peak hours of the day.
Giles said the administration will communicate with student throughout the project to the best of their ability, and they will do everything they can ensure students understand timelines and when certain areas will be closed.