Multi-Purpose Building

Addition proposed for Multi-Purpose Building

By Ernie Gutierrez

Because about 70 percent of UMR's students participate in intramurals, intercollegiate athletics, or physical recreation programs and this high demand is taxing the current recreational facilities, Chancellor Martin C. lischke has announced that the campus is planning the construction of a new indoor athletic facility exclusively for intramural sports and physical recreation activities. This new facility is to be constructed adjacent to the Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building.

"In my discussions with students and student leaders, it is clear that they want intramural sports to grow." Chancellor Jischke

"In my discuss ions with students and student leaders, it is clear that they want intramural sports to grow ," lischke said. "It is with this in mind that we are proposing to build an addition to our fi ne athletic facilities and to hire a full-time intram ural director. "Preliminary studies suggest the need for a 35,000-square-foot addition," lischke added. "We estimate the cost at about $3.5 million. Of this amount, $2.25 million will be raised through private fu nds and other sources and $1.25 million will be raised by increasing the student athletic fee."

According to Billy Key, UMR athletic director, tentative plans for the Bullman addition include basketball and volleyball courts, racquetball courts, general activity areas, student weight training and fitness faci lities, an indoor fitness track and locker rooms.

The proposed student athletic fee increase will total $17.50. It would go up by $2.50 a semester to support the full-time intramural director position.

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An additional $2.50 will be used to begin planning the new recreational facility. The remaining $12.50 increase will start only when the $2.25 million private monies have been raised and the new facility is under construction.

Neil Smith, UMR vice chancellor for administrati ve affairs, said the Physical Recreation Facilities Committee has been reviewing architectural firms in anticipation to selecting one to prepare preliminary drawings and proposals for the new addition . " In consultation with the UMR physical faciliti es staff, the committee will recommend an architectural firm experienced in building athletic faciliti es to design the addition ," Smith said.

Bob Phillips, a life sciences senior from Dixon, Mo., and president of the UMR Student Council, said that student support for the building proposa l was evident in a student referendum that took place in late November of last year.

More than two-thirds of the students participating in the referendum voted in favor of rai sing the activity fee. The UMR Student Counc il subsequently voted to endorse the plan.

"This is an important step toward improving intramural facilities. " Bob Phillips,

Student Council President

"This is an important step toward improving intramural facilities ," Phillips said. "There is a great deal of student involvement in intramural s activities and the building of this new facility will go a long way toward increasing participation ."

Proposed intramural-general recreation addition

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Existing Bullman Multi-Purpose Building (150'-4"x200')

loth Street Recreation AddJtion (175'x200')

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6 February 1990