UWG
News Item
Contact: University Communications & Marketing
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
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New Campus Center approved for UWG
November 17, 2004
CARROLLTON, GA - The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has approved the construction of a new Campus Center to provide students at the University of West Georgia with a first-class recreational facility. The board’s action was taken during its November meeting in Atlanta.
The
center is projected for construction in two phases over a three-year period
beginning in spring 2005. The $20 million cost of the project will be
funded through student fees.
The Student Government Association (SGA) voted in February to increase student activity fees by $100 per semester for full-time students and pro-rated as $8.33 per credit hour for students taking less than 12 hours. The extra fee, which will go into effect in fall 2005, will be used to fund the bond to build the new center.
Dr. Melanie McClellan, UWG vice president for student services, said the facility is expected to become the center of campus life, considering its proximity to the Ingram Library and the Technology-enhanced Learning Center.
“This new building is exciting because it will meet some of our goals to improve the quality of student life on campus,” McClellan said. “All these buildings will open early and close late, so we expect this area to become the heart of activity on campus.”
Phase
One will be built around the existing HPE Building. This will house a
comprehensive fitness center, two aerobics rooms, a game room, a 45-foot
climbing wall and two basketball courts surrounded by an indoor, elevated
1/8-mile walking/jogging track. It will also feature two meeting rooms
and a ballroom that will seat up to 800 auditorium-style or more than
500 banquet-style. The first phase is scheduled for
completion by fall 2006.
Phase Two will be built following the construction of the new campus Health, Wellness and Lifelong Learning Center, currently the second priority on the University System’s Major Capital Projects list and expected to receive state funding in 2005. Upon completion of the Health, Wellness and Lifelong Learning Center, the current HPE Building will be vacated. The University will then renovate and expand the HPE Building to include two basketball courts, offices for five major student organizations, and storage/checkout space for outdoor recreation equipment. Anticipated completion of this phase is fall 2007.
UWG students were surveyed during spring 2003 registration to determine what they would like to see in a new Campus Center. Most of the students’ suggestions were incorporated into the Campus Center plans, McClellan said.
“The rankings were fairly consistent, with some differences between males and females and differences between graduate and undergraduate students,” McClellan said. “Men are more likely to prefer racquetball courts and climbing walls. Women are more likely to prefer exercise/aerobic rooms, study rooms and a ballroom than men.”
Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, UWG president, said that the Regents’ approval for the Campus Center is a milestone in the University’s history and applauded the creativity of McClellan, UWG Vice President for Business and Finance Bill Gauthier and the SGA in obtaining funding for the building.
“The Campus Center represents the result of years of hard work on the part of a number of individuals,” Sethna said. “We are also grateful to Vice Chancellor Linda Daniels and her staff, to the Chancellor, and to the entire board for their support and approval.”
Sethna added that the new Campus Center is just one aspect of the University’s growth in the new millennium.
“This facility, when completed, will be a major catalyst to enhance student life on this campus,” he said. “Along with the Health, Wellness and Lifelong Learning Center, it will bring our student facilities into the 21st century.”
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