2008 Woodie Awards
Taylor answers questions on sports and wellness center during Cherry Coke Break
AmyRose Tomlinson
Issue date: 4/1/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Southwest Baptist University President Dr. C. Pat Taylor hosted a Cherry Coke Break Monday, March 29 to inform all interested students about the current status and progress of the Meyer Wellness and Sports Center. Taylor first presented the current status of the recreation center and passed around an architectural layout design of the building. Taylor then answered questions the students had concerning the project.
The new center is being constructed in two phases, the first phase includes an intramural center and the second including the wellness center. The intramural center will include three gym floors, all of which will be regulation size basketball courts. In addition to three new basketball courts, there will be a tenth mile jogging track on the mezzanine level of the court. The south end of the intramural center will feature an aerobics area, complete with televisions mounted on the walls, viewable to students using stationary bikes and jogging equipment.
A rock climbing wall will be on the middle wall of the intramural center. Whether or not belays will be needed, or if students will be allowed to belay themselves, has not yet been determined because the exact type of rock climbing wall has yet to be chosen.
"Due to the fact that many people enjoy rock climbing, and usually have to drive out to Petra, a rock climbing wall of our own is a good idea because it will save gas, cut down on students time on the road and help us save money," sophomore Dan Geldart said.
The new recreation center will not be completed as early as Taylor had hoped because of the recent weather. In order to put down the concrete floor, it has to be pure for 60 days straight. This has been impossible with the downpours of rain Bolivar has been experiencing recently.
A possible solution would be to purchase a different kind of concrete that does not require 60 days of purity, but this presents the issue of expenses. The project is already costing a total of about $11 million, without purchasing more expensive concrete.
Part two of the recreation center project is the Wellness Center, which is to be completed by the beginning of the upcoming academic school year. The Wellness Center will have four racquetball courts, and two weight-lifting areas, one for men, and one for women and three high-tech physical education classrooms. The second floor will be used for offices for coaches and professors, and will also have two conference rooms.
"I'm glad there's going to be racquet ball courts," said sophomore Bob Gelband. "It will bring a lot of athletic diversity to the school."
Not only does the center project include an entirely new building, but also includes the renovation of the Davison Field House. There will be a banquet room on the South side, a media center on the North side and the 20-year-old swimming pool will be completely renovated.
A high-tech security system is also part of the plan, so the new facilities will ensure a safe environment for all participants.
Although the project's cost is about $11 million, the student body has not and will not be required to contribute to the building fund through tuition, or any other additional fees. All the money was obtained through fund-raising and donations. The only cost difference the students will see is an increase in the student services fee from the usual $30 to $100. This money is not going towards the project, but rather to help maintain the facility by paying workers, staff, and security.
One concern of SBU students is that the Bolivar community will take over the center.
"The primary function of this building is for students; however there is no reason the community can't be involved," Taylor said.
As for SBU students, all access to all areas of the facility and equipment is free, and most of it will not have specified hours, unless it is equipment such as the rock climbing wall or weights, which can cause a safety and security issue if left unobserved. The people of the community, however, will not have entirely free access.
"This building is for students," Vice President for Student Development Steve Morrow. said. "(They) should not feel like they are being squeezed out by the community."
Any Bolivar residents who wish to use the facility may obtain a membership through donations; however, the new center will not be the only place for locals to go to get in shape. Soon the YMCA building will be completed and ready to use.
"We are not in competition with the 'Y' whatsoever," Taylor said. "They're two different facilities for two different groups of people."
The new center is being constructed in two phases, the first phase includes an intramural center and the second including the wellness center. The intramural center will include three gym floors, all of which will be regulation size basketball courts. In addition to three new basketball courts, there will be a tenth mile jogging track on the mezzanine level of the court. The south end of the intramural center will feature an aerobics area, complete with televisions mounted on the walls, viewable to students using stationary bikes and jogging equipment.
A rock climbing wall will be on the middle wall of the intramural center. Whether or not belays will be needed, or if students will be allowed to belay themselves, has not yet been determined because the exact type of rock climbing wall has yet to be chosen.
"Due to the fact that many people enjoy rock climbing, and usually have to drive out to Petra, a rock climbing wall of our own is a good idea because it will save gas, cut down on students time on the road and help us save money," sophomore Dan Geldart said.
The new recreation center will not be completed as early as Taylor had hoped because of the recent weather. In order to put down the concrete floor, it has to be pure for 60 days straight. This has been impossible with the downpours of rain Bolivar has been experiencing recently.
A possible solution would be to purchase a different kind of concrete that does not require 60 days of purity, but this presents the issue of expenses. The project is already costing a total of about $11 million, without purchasing more expensive concrete.
Part two of the recreation center project is the Wellness Center, which is to be completed by the beginning of the upcoming academic school year. The Wellness Center will have four racquetball courts, and two weight-lifting areas, one for men, and one for women and three high-tech physical education classrooms. The second floor will be used for offices for coaches and professors, and will also have two conference rooms.
"I'm glad there's going to be racquet ball courts," said sophomore Bob Gelband. "It will bring a lot of athletic diversity to the school."
Not only does the center project include an entirely new building, but also includes the renovation of the Davison Field House. There will be a banquet room on the South side, a media center on the North side and the 20-year-old swimming pool will be completely renovated.
A high-tech security system is also part of the plan, so the new facilities will ensure a safe environment for all participants.
Although the project's cost is about $11 million, the student body has not and will not be required to contribute to the building fund through tuition, or any other additional fees. All the money was obtained through fund-raising and donations. The only cost difference the students will see is an increase in the student services fee from the usual $30 to $100. This money is not going towards the project, but rather to help maintain the facility by paying workers, staff, and security.
One concern of SBU students is that the Bolivar community will take over the center.
"The primary function of this building is for students; however there is no reason the community can't be involved," Taylor said.
As for SBU students, all access to all areas of the facility and equipment is free, and most of it will not have specified hours, unless it is equipment such as the rock climbing wall or weights, which can cause a safety and security issue if left unobserved. The people of the community, however, will not have entirely free access.
"This building is for students," Vice President for Student Development Steve Morrow. said. "(They) should not feel like they are being squeezed out by the community."
Any Bolivar residents who wish to use the facility may obtain a membership through donations; however, the new center will not be the only place for locals to go to get in shape. Soon the YMCA building will be completed and ready to use.
"We are not in competition with the 'Y' whatsoever," Taylor said. "They're two different facilities for two different groups of people."
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