Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Headlines

The planned lower level for the new recreation center.

Western's administration is currently planning an addition and renovation to Old PE to bring a new recreation center to the school. The rec center is planned to be 45,000 square feet. If everything goes according to schedule and the administration gets approval from the state and student body, then the building could potentially be completed by the Fall of 2011. A plan to add new classrooms is also in the works.

If the project is undertaken it will include many features. It would be a two-level structure that includes the following: two-court gymnasium with elevated track, 2700 square feet dedicated to weight and strength training, 3600 square feet dedicated to cardiovascular training, a climbing and bouldering wall, three racquetball courts, three multipurpose rooms for aerobics and pilates, changing rooms for women and men with two family changing areas and an equipment checkout room. Old PE will also be renovated so that it is connected to the new recreation center. The existing pool will have a spa added and the existing gymnasium will be shared with the new recreation center. Most of the equipment would be brand new. The administration hopes to set up focus groups during winter term to see what students would like to have changed or added.

Where is the funding for such a large complex going to come from? Before the project can be started the money needs to be secured, and the administration plans on doing this in a few different ways. The proposed rec center and added classroom space are projected to cost somewhere around 28-29 million dollars. The admnistration hopes to obtain these funds from the state legislature and the student body. Two million dollars have already been made available from student building fees that students pay each term. The school plans on adding around 20,000 square feet of classroom space in the new project as well, which is enough for about ten classrooms. The administration believes that this will add motivation for the state legislature to approve additional funding.

Students would not be paying for the recreation center until it opened. The university will cover the initial interest payments that are required on the loans. Once the rec center is open to students they become responsible for about half of the building costs. As of this moment in time it is projected that future students would be paying a little over $100 per term for the facility.

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