Construction projects continue around campus

New construction projects are popping up all over campus, leaving some students to wonder what changes are being made to USA. New projects going up include the new recreation center with construction currently underway along Stadium Drive and on the corner of Old Shell Road. Construction of the actual building should begin within the next month or two. Site preparations and utility work has already been completed. Construction company White-Spunner will handle the construction of the new, state-of-the-art 116,000 sq. ft. rec center as well as the pool. Construction is set to be completed in spring 2010. "I'm excited for construction to begin and I'm looking forward for the building to be completed," Dr. John Smith said, vice president of student affairs. "The facility will make a positive addition to campus life." The new NCAA-sanctioned football program is also adding to construction efforts around campus. Two new full-sized practice football fields are being created on top of the hill behind the intramural fields. "The football fields themselves should be completed by the fall. We'll actually have some more work to do next spring to make them ready for their first use. We have to wait for the grass to grow and other factors," Chris Willis, USA facilities coordinator, stated. The new fieldhouse is currently being constructed on the edge of the Hillsdale property near the intramural fields. The 40,000-sq. ft. building should be completed, including construction and interior work, by July 2009. The construction of the building alone is predicted to be finished by December, according to Willis. Despite rumors about the University's long-term goal for a football stadium, no plans exist to construct one. Construction for a new Health Sciences building "to house Nursing and Allied Health" is currently underway on the corner of North Drive and University Boulevard, according to Willis. The building will contain all new labs and classrooms for both colleges and plans for completion are due late spring in 2009. Plans for a new Engineering building is also in the works. The facility will be home for the College of Engineering and Computer Information Sciences, says Willis. It will be located behind the Mitchell College of Business and the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center off of Jaguar Drive and will be 125,000 square feet in size. The Gamma parking lot is currently the subject of structural changes. Workers are implementing chilled water lines for the new student rec center. The project should be done within the next week or two, according to Willis. The Alpha South building renovation is due for completion in December of this year. It will be the new home for the Army and Air Force ROTCs as well as new classrooms and offices for the College of Arts and Sciences, says Willis. The relocation of the Mitchell Center Drive should soon start within the next two months. The road will be relocated through the old Army ROTC site and intersect with Campus Drive. The Bell Tower construction will begin upon the completion of the Mitchell Center Drive relocation. Additions to the bookstore might also be of interest to students. With the new post office residing downstairs in the Student Center, next to the gameroom, an additional 3,000 sq. ft. will be added to the bookstore, utilizing the old location of the post office. The project is due to begin by November.