New UI Student Rec Center Project Breaks Ground Nov. 10
Wednesday, November 1 2000
Nov. 1, 2000^MOSCOW--University of Idaho ceremoniously kicks off construction for its new Student Recreation Center at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. The public is invited to the event at the intersection of Line and Third streets. It includes remarks from Bob Hoover, UI President; Bart Cochran, Associated Students of UI President; Hal Godwin, vice president/vice provost for student affairs; Cal Lathen, campus recreation director; and Katie Cox, former student leader. Refreshments will be served.^The $15.9 million project is right on schedule for occupation late fall, 2001. Ormond Builders of Idaho Falls currently is constructing site utilities, foundation pilings and an overflow channel for Paradise Creek to provide enough capacity to handle 100-year flood events. ^ The student recreation center has been in the planning for more than six years, and was designed by Northwest Architectural Company of Spokane, Wash. in conjunction with Ohlson-Lavoie of Colorado. This same design team was responsible for the Hamilton-Lowe Aquatic Center in the city of Moscow. ^The defining architectural feature of the SRC is a 55-foot-high climbing pinnacle encased in a glass tower in the center of the structure. It is the tallest such climbing pinnacle known to date at any higher-education institution. The two-story building's design reflects the character and nature of the region, with generous use of wood structural elements, wood finishes on walls and ceilings, and glass that allows abundant natural light. ^Its interior will have approximately 85,000 square feet of fitness and weight training areas, jogging track, two wood floor gymnasiums, a synthetic floor multi-activity court, lockers, juice bar/eating space, lounges, saunas, babysitting area, administrative offices, and more. The facility also will house the university’s premier Outdoor Recreation Program. ^"The rec center becomes an opportunity for students to work on physical improvement side by side with faculty -- similar to how the new Commons building brings us all together," says Bart Cochran, student body president. He and other student leaders express particular enthusiasm about the rock-climbing wall, which Cochran believes will become an icon for university rec centers everywhere. ^ The SRC is the third element of the “University Center” concept, to cluster student services to better support UI's residential campus. It will be adjacent to the Idaho Commons (occupied spring 2000) and the Vandal Enrollment Services Center at the Student Union Building. The facility comes in an era of substantial development on campus. Soon to be constructed are an Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, J. A. Albertson Building for the College of Business and Economics, the Vandal Athletic Center and the proposed Teaching and Learning Center.^ The majority of the funding for the SRC is through bonds supported by student fees. A private funding campaign is underway to supplement the bond proceeds. No state or federal funding is involved. ^ "The Student Rec Center is an important part of our becoming a residential campus of choice in the West," said UI President Bob Hoover, "and it's a key to our ability to attract new students."^-30-^To view SRC architectural renderings, see http://www.dfm.uidaho.edu/src.htm#update^Contacts: Bart Cochran, ASUI President, (208) 885-6364, bcochran@sub.uidaho.edu; Hal Godwin, Vice President/Vice Provost for Student Affairs, (208) 885-5886, vphg@uidaho.edu; Ray Pankopf, director UI architectural/engineering services, (208) 885-7250, rayp@uidaho.edu; Louise Sweeney, project architect, (208) 885-5918, louises@uidaho.edu; Katie Cox, former student rep on project, (208) 885-5013, katiecox@idahovandals.com; Cal Lathen, campus recreation director, (208) 885-7921, call@uidaho.edu; or Nancy Hilliard, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, hilliard@uidaho.edu^^NH -- 11/1/00^FAC^
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.