Vol. 18, No. 36	July 8, 1999

CSB renovation under way; staff offers input, cooperation

A new rock climbing wall is currently under construction.

Located adjacent to UD's historic district near Old College, the structure was built in 1942 and has had many additions over the years.

Kate Pohlig, athletics and recreation services, said the latest renovation, now underway, is designed to maximize the structure's effectiveness. This major, $14.3 million renovation of the 167,000-square-foot building started last December and will continue until September 2000.

"This renovation," Pohlig said, "will make more efficient use of the building's available space."

Andy Welsh, Facilities, Planning and Construction, said the project has been broken down into four phases, allowing the building to remain in operation.

The renovation project includes improvements to the electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, emergency power, security and fire alarm systems. There also will be upgrading to meet current accessibility standards, including the addition of an elevator to the lower level.

"The improvements will be dramatic and beneficial," Pohlig said, "but there will have to be disruptions and changes in the location of staff and services. We've made every effort to share the information we know and also to receive input from faculty and staff that would help us in the renovation."

In addition to work on the major mechanical systems, the project includes notable changes in each of its four phases.

Completed in the first phase, from last December through May, were

• Conversion of 10 racquetball courts into 23 new health and exercise science offices, an outdoor recreation center and two classrooms;

• Conversion of one squash court into an elevator lobby and another into a new rock climbing wall;

• Excavation of a pit for the elevator to the lower level; and

• Addition of a floor-to-ceiling, glass-walled enclosure at the upper level for the remaining racquetball courts.

• Relocation of employees from the front and main corridors to the new lower level offices;

• Renovation of the front gym, including a new floor, removal of concrete bleachers and installation of new bleachers, a new training room, air conditioning installation and new lighting;

• Renovation of the back gym, including air conditioning, additional lighting and expanded storage area;

• Renovation of the Employee Fitness Center, including the addition of a second level with windows to both gymnasiums, new access from the corridor and air conditioning;

• Creation of new offices along main corridor and reconfiguration of offices along the front corridor; and

• Creation of a new student lounge off the front lobby and the expansion and upgrading of the computer laboratory.

• Conversion of the weight room into an auxiliary gymnasium;

• Expansion of the Student Fitness Center to include areas occupied by the mirror room, mat room, Universal room and locker rooms;

• Addition of a second activity room upstairs from the Student Fitness Center; and

• Reconstruction of the loading dock and construction of a new mechanical room on the roof.

• Installation of the new elevator;

• The addition and renovation of locker rooms for the volleyball team and men's and women's swim teams;

• Construction of a handicapped-accessible spectator platform on the pool balcony and handicapped-accessible restroom off the main corridor;

• The addition of an aquatics classroom off the pool deck;

• The conversion of an upper-level women's locker room to men's and women's locker rooms for employees;

• Upgrading of the lower-level men's and women's student locker rooms;

• Reconfiguration of the front lobby;

• Addition of a new floor, ceiling, lights and benches in the main corridor; and

• Addition of a concession stand for special events.

"I think the project is absolutely exciting," Pohlig said. "I also sense some apprehension on the part of faculty and staff who have worked in the building for years. In the beginning, some didn't know what to expect. But, we've kept in touch with them-at least weekly through e-mail- about what was happening and what was planned. Also, we've taken a number of their suggestions and incorporated them into the project. This has helped to make the transition as smooth as possible."

According to David Hollowell, executive vice president, the CSB project is part of the University's program of renovation and improvement of older campus buildings.

Funding for the project has come from several sources, including the state of Delaware, University capital improvement funds and the Unidel Foundation.

The building renovation was designed by GBQC Architects and EdiS is the construction manager.

-Ed Okonowicz