Recreation center set to open in 2005 despite budget cuts

By Janet Enquist

Fresno State’s on-campus recreational center is scheduled to open in fall 2005, despite recent budget cuts.

“ (We’re) still on pace to make that date,” said Dr. Paul Oliaro, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

Neil Gibson, president of associated students, said he looks forward to the 2005 grand opening.

“ Students and administration have been working hard to make the student recreation center a reality,” he said.

But Debbie Adishian-Astone, executive director of auxiliary services, could not offer a definite timeline for how long construction of the complex would take.

“ There is no exact completion date until the construction contract is awarded,” Adishian-Astone said. “That would also determine the ground breaking date which should be sometime during summer 2004.”

Carolyn Coon, interim executive director for student life and chair for the rec center building committee said the recreation center will be built 40 feet west of the Save Mart Center

The building will have two stories and include two aerobic rooms, men’s and women’s locker rooms, two racquetball courts and four courts that could be used for basketball, volleyball or badminton, Coon said.

The recreational center will also include the Leon and Pete Peters Educational Center, a “smart classroom” that will seat 300 students, she said. A portion of the second story will also be rented out for the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Coon said the architect responsible for designing the Save Mart Center will also design the recreational center. The two will have the same exterior design.

The recreational center will be completely student funded. According to fresnostatenews.com, in 2000, student voters approved the Legacy 2000 referendum that will increase the service fees students pay annually from $41 to $90. The increase will not go into effect until the center is built and opened.

Coon said since students are paying for the center, faculty might have to pay a fee to use the center.

Adishian-Astone said the financial plan for the center was recently approved by the chancellor’s office and will be presented to the California State University, Fresno Association Board for final approval.