Outsiders new to West Virginia University may mistake the school colors for being orange and black rather than blue and gold. But with several construction sites around town, it might be an easy mistake to make.
The highly-anticipated recreation center on the Evansdale Campus is scheduled to be completed this June, and the grand opening is set for September.
Charlie Robinson of the Physical Plant said that construction is right on schedule.
“We are looking forward to opening this facility,” said David Taylor, director of the recreation center.
The facility will have a four-court gym and a three-court gym, as well as a fitness pool and a leisure pool, which will have a zero-entry area which gradually slopes downward. The sloping allows easier access for children, elderly and handicapped patrons. The recreation center will also contain three racquetball courts and a squash court.
A jogging track will overlook the gyms. A climbing wall will be in the center of the facility.
Weight and fitness equipment will take up 17,000 square feet. Aerobics, yoga, martial arts and dance classes will be held in three multipurpose rooms.
Students wishing to relax may enjoy the whirlpool.
“We have a large cloverleaf whirlpool that seats 20 (people),” Taylor said.
The construction of the new Life Sciences building downtown has suffered some delays throughout the year. However, it will be completed by May 2002.
Earlier in the year, WVU’s steel contract was rebid when the company could not secure a performance bond, a type of insurance guaranteeing the quality of their work.
Scott Kelley, vice president of Administration and Finance, said that WVU was much happier with the new company.
The seven-floor building will house the psychology and biology departments.
The addition to the the Wise Library downtown is expected to be completed by December 2001.
“There was a need for additional library space, particularly study space,” Kelley said.
Becoming more technologically advanced, rooms in the addition will be equipped with outlets where students can connect their own laptop computers, Kelley said.
Morgantown is also expanding its facilities. In a riverfront development, a 17-story Radisson Hotel and Conference Center is being built along Don Knotts Boulevard.
The building will be home to the WVU Foundation and other University offices.
Kelley said that construction of the facility has gone smoothly, and it is on schedule to be completed the end of May.