Monday, August 21, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section C · Page 15
Plans progressing for construction of new rec center
By Gina Kohake
Special to the Kansan
University of Kansas officials are interviewing five architectural firms to design a recreation center.
Warren Corman, University architect, said construction was scheduled to start by next fall and be completed by Fall 2002.
"It all depends on how fast the architects can work," Corman said. "We will have the funding by September. We hope to be bidding on construction a year from now."
Student Senate passed a referendum last fall for a $49 increase in student fees to fund the project. Kevin Yoder, former student body president and chairman of the senate's recreation task force, said next year the fee would actually only be $15.
"We are implementing a stairstep approach to the fees because we didn't want people to be paying for the center who couldn't use it for very long," Yoder said.
The state legislature approved the school's proposal to build a $17 million free-standing fitness and recreation center for students.
Mary Chappell, director of recreation services, said the five firms interviewed were Gould, Evans and Associates, Lawrence; Slemmons Associates Architects, Topeka; Treanor Architects PA, Lawrence; Glenn, Livingood, Penzler and Miller PA, Lawrence; and Ken Ebert Design Group, Manhattan.
Corman said the building would probably take eight to 10 months to design.
"We don't tell the architects what the building should look like," Corman said. "We would like it to be consistent with the other buildings around campus."
The Board of Regents approved
the location between Watkins Health Center and 18th Street for the facility. The new center will be situated diagonally from Robinson Gymnasium.
"It will be a free-standing building south of Watkins, some place in the big field," Corman said. "It was the most appealing site probably because there was already existing parking and sewer lines. It is a flat site that will be easy to build on."
The building will have four multi-purpose gymnasium courts, two racquetball courts, a cardiovascular fitness and weight training center, and an aerobics and dance studio. There will also be a suspended walking and running track, a rock climbing wall, a martial arts studio, an activities lounge, locker rooms and a student service center.
Student Senate proposed the center with the intention that it be used in addition to the existing equipment, gymnastiums and racquetball courts in Robinson Gymnastium, Yoder said.
"A part of the plan was to use Robinson as well as the new equipment," Yoder said. "The new center will be a vast improvement of what we have had in the past." When it's completed, the build-
Chappell said that next semester the weight room in Robinson would be open from 6 to 7:30 a.m. every morning and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights; and 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It will also be open during the day on Saturdays and Sundays.
"The times are only for the weight room. Other areas of the center will be open at different times depending on the classes," Chappell said. "In October, the center will start extended hours and stay open until midnight Sunday through Thursday."
Club sports avenue for activity
Recreation services offer competitive edge, outlet for former, new athletes
By Gina Kohake Special to the Kansan
Twenty-five sports clubs are available to KU students during the school year. Some of the teams, like water skiing and sailing, continue during the summer.
Mary Chappell, director of recreation services, said that club sports were a great way for students to stay active and get involved.
"Club teams offer another realm for students," she said. "It is an outlet for some high school varsity athletes instead of college sports. Some students do it just to keep in shape. They are all at a level that a novice can do while at the same time competing with other schools."
The levels of competition vary from team to team, Chappell said.
"The teams compete mostly with Big 12 schools or anyone else in the region," she said. "Some teams travel more like crew which goes to Princeton, or the K-Alkido team that went to California."
Chappell said many of the sport clubs allow students the opportunity to learn a new sport.
"Club sports open different avenues that some students have never experienced, such as lacrosse which is a sport played more in the north, like in Michigan," Chappell said.
SPORTS CLUBS
Chappell said the University had a diverse selection of teams.
There are seven different martial arts clubs: Karate, Ki-Aikido, Kuk Sool Wan, Tae Kwan Do, Kung Fu, Wu Shot Tai Chi and Judo.
"Some are for self-discipline or some are for combat," Chappell said. "They are a little bit of each other but they all have their own focus."
Another option for students to explore is the sailing club, said Liz Riggs, past commodore.
"The club is open to every University student," Riggs said. "Its mission is to provide a means for novice sailors to learn and experienced sailors to be continually challenged."
Riggs said the team could have a competitive edge if students wanted the challenge of racing against other sailors.
We recently have re-energized our racing
team and now can offer an experience in nationally competitive collegiate sailing." Riggs said. "On a competitive level, sailing is both athleticly and mentally challenging."
For those who aim for higher altitudes, rock-climbing is available. With practice on the 24-foot rock-climbing wall in Robinson Gymnasium, students can be ready for climbing excursions to Arkansas or Texas.
"I think it's a good idea for students to get involved in any sort of activity that makes the University smaller and helps them to meet and get to know people." Riggs said.
Students can sign up for a club team at 8 p.m. tomorrow during the Beach and Boulevard night of Hawk Week at Wescoe Beach. Chappell said.
"There will be 300 groups there that students can talk with," she said. "If they don't make it, a student can also come to the office in 208 Robinson and we will give them a person to contact."
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