by Jason
Secrest
Intern Writer
Construction on the new Student Recreation Center on Bodenheimer
Drive next to Walker Hall is scheduled for completion late
in fall semester 2005.
Construction on the project began Nov. 4, 2003, after many
delays.
Construction on the new SRC took so long to get started due
to questions concerning what would be included in the center
and finalizing contracts with architects.
“It was time consuming,” Joe Carter, director
of University Recreation said.
Gregory S. Blimling, vice chancellor of student development,
said University Recreation, Student Development, students
and contractors are working hard together on this project.
“The layout and design looks very promising,”
Blimling said.
The 117,000-square-foot recreation center will more than
double the Quinn Center in size. It will include three levels
with two large gymnasiums, a 50-foot climbing wall, a 33-meter
swimming pool, juice bar, cardio theater, outing center,
weights area, indoor track, conference/instructional rooms
and UREC central offices. A new parking lot for the recreation
center will also be constructed.
Activity classes and intramural sports that took place in
Brome-Kirk Gym will take place in the new SRC after opening.
Carter said storage for equipment will allow students to
check out equipment which is now limited.
Justin Gomez, publicity programmer of UREC, said the SRC
will enhance intramural scheduling. The SRC will provide
more court space for games.
The SRC will make scheduling much easier and eliminate late
night games. Intramural games and events will take place
during more convenient hours for students, Blimling said.
Blimling said intramural games, especially basketball, often
run as late as 1 a.m.
“It’s not fair to students,” Blimling said.
The SRC will make scheduling much easier and eliminate late
night games. Intramural games and events will take place
during more convenient hours for students, Blimling said.
Weather in Boone makes outdoor recreation activities limited
as the cold months set in.
Carter said Appalachian State University becomes an indoor
campus late in the fall.
“From a student perspective it will be immensely beneficial,”
Gomez said.
Gomez said the Quinn Center and Mt. Mitchell in Plemmons
Student Union will still be available for students during
the construction of the SRC and after it is completed.
Carter said plans for the new recreation center began during
the 1998-99 academic year due to continuing problems with
the pool in Broome-Kirk Gym. The pool was losing water and
did not pass state codes.
Carter said programs in UREC would suffer greatly without
Broome-Kirk Gym and Varsity Gym would become the sole place
for several intramural sports, as well as many activity classes.
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