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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

    Rec expansion model didn’t depict true plan

    UA students play basketball yesterday afternoon inside the Student Recreation Center. The floor plan of the expanded Rec Center may be significantly altered due to rising construction prices, and an architectural firm has yet to be chosen.
    UA students play basketball yesterday afternoon inside the Student Recreation Center. The floor plan of the expanded Rec Center may be significantly altered due to rising construction prices, and an architectural firm has yet to be chosen.

    The floor plan of the expanded Student Recreation Center that was displayed in the Rec Center lobby was only a proposal and could be significantly altered because construction prices have increased and an architectural firm has not yet been chosen to design the expansion, officials said.

    The graphic that was displayed for students in the lobby of the Rec Center and in the April 26 issue of the Arizona Daily Wildcat was an indefinite design, said Rec Center director Juliette Moore.

    The original proposal included a 30,000-square-foot addition to the weight room, a climbing wall and a leisure pool.

    Amid rising costs of concrete and construction materials in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it’s possible specific additions could be axed, said Bradley Burns, university relations director for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.

    “”There is a concern about bait-and-switch,”” said Burns, a political science sophomore. “”But they’ve been very forthcoming and I would compliment them on that.””

    Moore said the graphic was only a proposed floor plan, as the design phase couldn’t occur until after the referendum was passed and the fee approved by the Arizona Board of Regents.

    In November, students voted overwhelmingly to keep the $25-per-semester Rec Center fee through 2041, and it was approved by the board of regents in February.

    Moore said it is difficult to predict how far the money raised by the fee will go because of recent price increases. Moore said the design was intended to be a proposal all along.

    “”Until you get into the design phase, it’s impossible to really know,”” Moore said.

    Burns said some of the main selling points of the expansion could be challenged.

    Moore said the final design is ultimately up to the architecture firm that wins the bid for the expansion.

    “”We can tell them, ‘This is the amount we’ve projected, this is what we’d like. What can you give us?'”” Moore said.

    Moore said the Rec Center’s top priority is expanding the weight room.

    To find out student priorities, the recreation advisory committee hopes to put out a survey in April, according to Moore.

    She said the survey would be administered to freshmen because they will be enrolled when the construction is completed in 2009.

    The committee is also putting together a timeline to go on display in the Rec Center lobby to update students on the progress of the expansion.

    “”It’s important that the students stay informed and updated,”” Moore said.

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