Long Term Renovations on Campus

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – A group of faculty members, students and architects have begun preliminary discussions involving renovations to the PE center, extensions to existing facilities, and the construction additions to the university in general. These plans are likely to take ten to twenty years to complete. Some of the projects being discussed are an ice skating rink, a new and sufficient aquatic center, relocating the school’s HPER academic program to the PE Center, installing a cardiovascular lab in the PE building, and adding a welcoming center to the school right off the highway serving as a gateway to the campus.”We started with a master plan about a year and a half ago,” said Bill Crangle Vice President of Financial Affairs, “As we started the process we actually looked at three models.” These models include the campus core, the northern campus by the Langdon park, and the Holderness vicinity (PE center). “The PE Center was part of our old plans for renovations but was something we didn’t get to in the years we had to do it, so its out number one priority going into this ten year cycle,” said Crangle.The PE Center is currently in poor condition and was an essential area to look at in relation to any future construction projects. The school arranged for a team of architects and planners to go into the building and look around so they were able to give their suggestions. Ultimately, the interior of the existing building needs to be upgraded. The air handling system is dated, new walls and ceilings are needed, and elevators should be added to the facility.As far as the existing aquatic area, the pool is undersized. The diving and swim teams need something larger, and swimming time for casual swimmers, as of now, is virtually impossible. The ice skating rink is also a necessity considering that we the men’s hockey team and a women’s hockey club will most likely be a varsity team within the next one to two years. “We’ll have two varsity teams, which deserve to have an ice skating rink right on campus,” said Crangle, “Plus it gives other students the opportunity to skate as well as being a resource for the whole region.” A third priority will be to move the HPER department, currently located on the top floor of the D&M building, back to its original Holderness location. The organization has outgrown their space and right now HPER is constantly moving students back and forth across campus.Additionally, they hope to build a partnership with the hospital for adding a cardiovascular lab. This would provide students hands on training with professionals. As of now this plan is speculative, but it is believed to be a great opportunity not just for the university, but for the entire region.The last piece of the plan is the welcoming center that will be used as a gateway into the university. The area would be for people coming off interstate 93 to visit the school. “The idea would be for people to stop and park there. They would get a brief orientation then catch the shuttle and do what they need to on campus,” said Crangle. The shuttling idea would help preserve parking and relieve the stress of trying to find parking on campus.The first meeting in regard to this project was held last Wednesday, which consisted of people discussing the wants for this project. A proposal is being developed along with a literal list and a program list to develop the amount of square feet. After that is reconfigured, the architects will come up with a design and floor plans. At the end of the summer more information will be available, including some visuals. When it is ready to be brought to legislature, the cost is estimated to be around thirty million dollars. “We are not on anybody’s schedule; I would think the earliest would be 8 years. The projects will all have to be done at the same time or in parts depending on how the funding comes,” said Crangle.