Fieldhouse renovation to provide new activities for students
Demolition in the Fieldhouse has just finished, making completion of Utah State University’s new student facility about two months away.
Shelly Swasey, athletics vice president of the Associated Students of Utah State University, said the building should end up a lot nicer than anyone would expect.
“It’s going to be amazing,” she said.
In July, Swasey and Celestial Bybee, ASUSU president, presented to administrators a proposal for turning the second floor of the Fieldhouse into a high-demand recreational facility just for students.
Swasey said they planned to replace the building’s five racquetball courts and one squash court with exercise equipment. Research had shown the courts were used only 17 to 18 percent of their available time.
President Kermit L. Hall agreed to implement the plans on two conditions, Swasey said. The squash court had to be preserved, because it is the only one on campus. The president also required that faculty be allowed to use the facility.
Craig Petersen, vice president for Student Services, was impressed with the planning and compromising.
“I think this is one of the best examples of cooperation between student government and the administration,” he said.
Swasey said campus leadership set aside $450,000 for carrying out the project. Last year President Hall promised $400,000 from Tier II tuition increases. The Stadium Spectrum Bond committee voted to contribute the remaining $50,000 from their area of student fees.
Buying equipment is consuming $200,000. Swasey and Bybee, along with affiliates of the Campus Recreation Program, have spent time bidding equipment to ensure they get the highest quality for the best price. They have visited other campus facilities in and out of the state to gain a vision for USU’s potential.
There will be about 90 new exercise machines, including some designed especially for people with disabilities, Swasey said. A section of the first floor will be reserved for free weights. The Fieldhouse track will remain open for general use.
Regina Sorensen, staff assistant for the Campus Recreation Office, has participated in the bidding.
“We work with the students, so we know what they like and what they want,” she said.
Students have been requesting new facilities and equipment for about five years. The HPER Building isn’t adequate. They complain there aren’t enough cardiovascular pieces, the weight room is too small, and various rooms are often closed for classes, Sorensen said.
Swasey said they plan to cater the facility to student needs.
“I’m happy to report that we’re going to try to make the room as Aggie Blue as we can,” she said.
Problems will all be addressed with the new renovation, which will be bigger and more open. Demolition and reconstruction – sandblasting, carpet, sound, electricity, painting, windows – will eat up about $185,000.
The remaining money will be reserved for future maintenance and staffing. Campus leadership resolved to allow 150 faculty memberships – $100 per semester or $250 per year. Profits will go toward upkeep of the facility.
Bybee said the undertaking would not have been possible without the hard work of past student body leaders. She hopes to show appreciation by inviting them to the facility’s grand opening.
Gary Chambers, assistant vice president for Student Life, worked with this year’s ASUSU representatives in furthering the project.
“I commend the student leaders for having the ability to keep this thing on the front burner,” he said.
Bybee said the process was a team effort that should prove to students the administration listens to their needs when the proper course of action is taken.
Scott Wamsley, acting director of the Campus Recreation Program, has worked to further the project.
“To some it might not be a lot, but to us it’s a huge step,” he said. “We just hope the students use it. That’s what it’s there for.”
Swasey said long-term goals include turning the entire Fieldhouse into a center just for USU students.
-amarie@cc.usu.edu