December 11, 2008

Designs for Rec Sports renovation/
expansion getting into shape

When Howard Taylor talks about the Recreational Sports Center's coming $98 million reincarnation, a new sort of vision and visibility is apparent. "The nice thing will be, you'll enter near the center of the building, and you'll visually connect to many points of reference," says Taylor, director of recreational sports. "You'll be able to see the rock climbing wall from every level."

A climbing wall? Visual accessibility, not visual segmentation? Entering at a new point, and to a spacious area open to those with or without ID or membership?

These are among the hundreds of concepts and features being kneaded into a general design, on the way to project completion by fall 2012.

For several years, Taylor led an extensive effort to determine needs and interests of Purdue students, faculty and staff. Nationally known consultants Brailsford and Dunlavey helped with quantifying those responses and with peer comparisons. Those show Purdue well behind other universities in the state, in the Big Ten and in Purdue's peer group.

"Our surveying and demand analysis has provided a strong sense of what we need to accomplish," Taylor says. "Now the question is, How do we put those pieces together in a way that is architecturally appealing and sustainable over time?"

Table talk

The people turning data and dreams into designs are, along with the architects, a Steering Committee that is meeting over two days every third week.

The committee consists of students, faculty, administration, and the project manager on the Purdue side, plus representatives of Moody Nolan Inc. architects and Turner Construction Co., the construction manager.

Based on general indications, Moody Nolan developed 10 "cartoons," or conceptual, drawings. The firm began that work after Purdue's Board of Trustees in June approved a design contract and authorized the project.

The Steering Committee has talked through its preferences, and the firm has developed a single design, though still quite general.

"The project manager from Moody Nolan talks about this stage as an accordion," Taylor says. "It can shrink or grow to fit costs and priorities."

This also means that the talk is getting more and more specific about the size, materials and features of specific areas. The engineering and construction considerations provide important reality checks, Taylor says.

"Maybe they say, 'You could do it that way, but it might cost 20 percent more because of the construction complexity or materials necessary.' So we might have to consider other ways," he says.

Taylor says he has had the opportunity to present drawings and information to Purdue's top administrators, which has allowed for meaningful and essential interaction and feedback through the design process.

He speaks positively about the committee's work and how the blend of expertise helps take everything important into account.

"For me it's been a great process," he says. "We're going to get one chance to do this right. So we're saying, 'Let's look at all of these things simultaneously.'"

Drawing conclusions

Several major approaches to this project have received consideration, but the choice is to expand on the east and west sides, keeping a relatively compact footprint.

The large amount of added fitness space will come not all in one section but in "fitness neighborhoods" with groups of similar activities.

"Free weights probably will stay in the the lowest level in Colby Fitness Center," Taylor says. "Another neighborhood might have cardio or stationary bicycles."

Interest in visual connection with the outdoors shows strongly in two ideas for placement of fitness neighborhoods. One might create upper-level space near the Main Gym's east entrance, where a nice east view exists.

Another might add space at the south end of racquetball courts hallways, bringing in more light and attracting attention from the busy foot and vehicle traffic along Third Street.

Rather than replicating the East-West Gym to add one large six basketball court complex, the project might add one court in one location, two in another, and three in another.

"This will mean that a group wanting to reserve space for its own event can have a more defined space," Taylor says.

Ample space around the courts for safety also will allow for setting up more volleyball or badminton courts without eating up as much basketball space.

The Main Gym may get a turf surface suitable for soccer, lacrosse, or other activities that might be appropriate on synthetic grass.

But the biggest visual and functional change may be the entry, which will be an atrium running roughly from the current rear entry directly across the building. Anyone — on-campus people without RSC membership, swim meet spectators, other visitors — can go in and enjoy a juice bar, a demonstration kitchen, a wellness area and a multipurpose space where a group meeting might be held.

An indoor track of about one-eighth mile will circuit overhead to both sides of the building, helping bring in natural light.

The area will have interior open or glass visual connection to a leisure swimming area, a climbing wall, a horizontal bouldering wall (no belaying required) and more.

From there, members can check through into the main activity areas and look at video screens to see information about what spaces are in use and for what.

Multipurpose spaces will be numerous and of varying design. They will accommodate exercise classes, organizational activities or meetings and other uses.

In discussing such spaces, Taylor notes the need to improve on air, lighting and flooring quality over current rooms.

Nuts and bolts

The trustees have authorized this project to proceed with planning as the project is reviewed this spring by the Indiana General Assembly. This $98 million project was submitted to the legislature as part of Purdue's annual capital request.

Purdue is seeking both project and bonding authority approval as part of the request. The bonds would be repaid through an increase in student fees. One of the principles in Purdue's financing plan is to phase in the fee over multiple years and not start it until a significant portion of the facility has been completed.

The amount of the fee increase cannot be determined yet, but Taylor says, "It will be very much in line with, probably less than, such fees at other universities."

The fundraising goal has been set at $3 million.

"Our hope is that potential donors will see this as an opportunity to support a vital aspect of the overall student experience," Taylor says.

Persons interested in exploring making a gift or filling a naming opportunity, when those are defined, can contact David Lasater, director of advancement in Student Services, at 49-62406 or dlasater@ purdue.edu.