Trustees: Recreation Center

TRUSTEES AUTHORIZE FEE FOR STUDENT RECREATION CENTER

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on 
Friday (7/10) took a step toward construction of a renovated and 
expanded student recreation center on the Columbus campus by 
authorizing a student fee of $55 per quarter (in 1997 dollars) to 
help fund its construction and operation.  The fee is mandatory 
for Columbus campus students taking four or more credit hours and 
will take effect when the building becomes operational -- 
possibly in 2003 or 2004.

The university last year submitted a request for $3 million 
in planning funds for a renovation and addition to Larkins Hall 
as part of its capital request for state funds in the 1999-2000 
biennium.  Granting of the funds is conditional on approval of 
funding from non-general revenue sources.  The Department of 
Athletics has committed to fund its portion of the construction 
and operation of the center, and the university will seek 
additional state funding in the next capital request to cover the 
portion of the building to be used for academic purposes.  The 
student fee will cover debt service on the recreational portion 
of the construction costs as well as operating expenses for the 
recreational facilities.  Faculty and staff who use the 
recreational facilities will be charged a fee, yet to be 
determined.

University Architect Jill Morelli said the design phase has 
not begun, so construction details are not yet available.  
However, the renovation and expansion is expected to encompass 
about 600,000 square feet and to cost approximately $120 million 
to complete.  The building will house recreational swimming 
pools, sports courts, exercise areas and a variety of other 
fitness and recreation facilities for students, faculty and 
staff.  It will also include space for the School of Physical 
Activity and Educational Services in the College of Education, 
and the varsity swimming and diving pools used by the Department 
of Athletics.  The project will include renovation of the present 
Larkins Hall and expansion into the area south of Larkins.

A feasibility study and consultant's report have been 
completed and show that the facility is needed, is consistent 
with the campus master plan, and can be funded at the rate 
authorized by the trustees. 

David Williams II, vice president for student and 
urban/community affairs, said that the recreation center is 
something that students need and want.  "It will expand all of 
the recreation opportunities available to Ohio State students, 
faculty and staff," he said, adding that the center will serve as 
a gathering place and social outlet for students as well as an 
exercise facility.

"It will allow much greater access during the prime times 
when students want to exercise, play intramural sports, or 
participate in other recreational activities," Williams said.  
"Larkins Hall can no longer handle the demand for fitness and 
recreational activities.  It's also a competitive issue; many of 
the universities Ohio State competes with for the most able 
students have recently built state-of-the-art recreation 
centers."

Williams noted that the Undergraduate Student Government has 
endorsed the funding plan, and that all three student governments 
-- USG, the Council of Graduate Students, and the Inter-
Professional Council -- had representation on the planning 
committee which proposed the student fee.

A more definite timeline for construction will not be known 
until the Legislature makes a decision about the planning funds, 
Morelli said.  Once planning funding is secured, she expects it 
will be four to five years before the building is ready for use.

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Contacts: David Williams, (614) 292-9334
          Jill Morelli, (614) 292-4458

Written by Ruth Gerstner, University Communications,
(614) 292-8424