ISU Bengal

Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Fowers, Cody

In terms of dollars, the largest student fee funded building in Idaho State University history broke ground on Nov. 20, 2008.
"This is our monument," Matt Spencer, ASISU President, said. "This is what we will leave behind at our school."
The construction of a $7 million and 32,000-foot expansion to Reed Gym officially got underway Thursday, Nov. 20, as school athletes and officials gathered on the east side of the Student Recreation Center parking lot.
A brief press conference was held before a ceremonial ground breaking event signified the beginning of the historic construction.
The expansion of Reed Gym has been in the works since 2003, when the concept of the building was approved by the then-current student board.
ASISU started collecting a $27 fee from every student's tuition in the fall of 2004 and will continue to do so for the next 21 years.
The project will be fully funded by the students.
"The students are front and center," Arthur C. Vailas, ISU President, said. "Thank you students."
"This is very promising for our school and it's good to see so many people out here," Jaron Taylor, an ISU football player, said. "Something like this will only make us more attractive as a university."
According to an ISU press release, "Facilities at the new two-story structure will include a large multi-purpose recreation room, free weight areas, machine weight areas, cardio machines and exercise areas, campus recreation offices, bathrooms upstairs and down, a lobby area, lounge areas and an equipment checkout area. New exercise equipment will also be purchased."
The two-story building will provide the gym with new facilities while renovating existing space for new functions.
A majority of the outdoor tennis courts will be removed, while the indoor track and tennis courts will be connected to the second story of the new addition.
Students will also have the ability to enjoy a new lounge with a big screen TV and additional rooms designated for personal training and massages.
The completion of the student recreation expansion is expected to be finished in 18 months.

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