Vanguard

Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: News

Editor's note: This is the fourth of four in a series of articles chronicling new construction projects on campus.
The University of South Alabama's new student recreational center is now in its final design stages. Construction on the project is likely to begin in early 2008, and USA officials anticipate the new center will be completed in fall 2009.
The new recreational center will be located on the corner of Old Shell Road and Stadium Boulevard.
"The students will be excited when they see this building. It has a very unique look, and I think it will be a tremendous landmark on our campus," Dale Adams, vice president of student affairs, said.
According to Adams, USA's current recreational center is around 40,000 square feet. The new recreation center will be 115,000 square feet.
"Architecturally, The Recreational Center will act as a gateway building. It will incorporate a standard of architecture that draws the campus together," Adams said.
The main level consists of a three-court gym, four racquetball courts, table tennis area and a center court with an all-purpose floor for soccer, roller hockey and other similar activities. Administrative offices, a juice bar and a café will also be located on the main level.
An outdoor recreational center will be located adjacent to the complex, where canoes, kayaks, camping equipment and backpacking equipment will be available for loan.
Other amenities include an indoor and outdoor heated pool, saunas and a whirlpool that will also be available in the winter. "The Recreational Center will have a six-lane indoor lap pool, outdoor leisure heated pool, a zero-level pool and a deep section used for teaching scuba diving," Adams said. The outdoor pool will have a "vortex" whirlpool in its center.
Another main feature is the 35-45 foot rock-climbing wall, surrounded by glass windows, which is designed to allow students to enjoy the scenery of nature's oak trees while climbing. "We wanted the architects to build us a complex that saves as much as we can of the natural fauna of the area," Adams said.
The second level of The Recreational center will consist of aerobic rooms, weight rooms and multipurpose rooms. The new recreational center will have two multipurpose rooms, as opposed to one multipurpose room in the current recreational center. These will serve as extra rooms for any special classes or events.
One of the main ideas in the building was to incorporate the element of nature. "What we wanted in this building was to be able to see out and see in the building. We wanted people to be able to look outside while engaging in their fitness activities," Adams said.
Other amenities on the second level include an indoor one-eighth mile track and a spinning room.
The Recreational Center was also designed so that students would be able to walk there from The Grove and residence halls. "It will act as a lighted nature trail," Adams said.
"If you look at what we have now in our recreational center, which is a very minimal facility, we have about 1,000 students a day," Adams explained. "I think our students today are very excited about fitness. We have the chance to enhance students' health and lifestyle."
The expected cost for The Recreational Center is $25 to $30 million. Adams explained that students and student senators agreed to support the project with a $50 per semester increase in recreational fees, which began this fall. These fees alone will provide funding for half of The Recreational Center. Other funds have been dedicated to pay for the remaining half.
Students expect this kind of facility when they choose to attend a major university. "We already know from national research that people who use recreational centers are generally healthier, have a better attitude about their university and are more likely to do better in school because of their participation in activities," Adams said.
The goal of all of the upcoming improvements on campus is to unite students and incorporate facilities to benefit everyone at USA.
"There is a direct relationship between physical health and academic achievement," said USA President Gordon Moulton. "This new center will offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities and an improved quality of life for our students."

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