Plans for the Student Recreation and Wellness Center have progressed steadily and Cal State Long Beach has found an architect to make this idea come to life since students voted in favor of it last spring.
Over the past six months, the architectural firm, CSULB and Associated Students, Inc. have all worked together to develop a plan, according to the director of the University Student Union, Dave Edwards. They are all hopeful that architectural plans for the SRWC should be finalized within this academic year.
As of now, there are still issues concerning the schematics of the SRWC. Many of the main facilities like the gyms, locker rooms and lounges have been finalized in the plan, but there are other details that need to be fixed. Things like maintenance rooms, mechanical rooms and custodial closets still need to be added. There are also safety code issues that must be met by the school.
Associate Vice President of Physical Planning and Facilities Management Scott Charmack acknowledged that the university is not using all of the allotted space for the SRWC. Instead, the school is trying to be as efficient as possible, leaving room for possible expansion further down the line.
One result from building the SRWC is the loss of Lot 11. The destruction of the lot will cause more than 500 parking spots to be lost. This should only be temporary for students, as bidding for a new parking structure should be opening soon.
According to Charmack, the university is awaiting a November board meeting for approval of the new structure. The school hopes to start construction by mid to late January.
Still, the brief inconvenience has done little to dampen some students’ enthusiasm about the SRWC.
“I think the student body will be excited to see the progress made on this facility,” Edwards said. “It promises to be a state-of-the-art facility and one of the best in Southern California.”
Charmack said he believes this will be more than a place to exercise.
“[The rec center is] something we’ve needed for a long time,” Charmack said. “We’re hoping that the rec center will be a place where students can hang out. Hopefully students won’t just go to class then go home anymore.”
For those interested in learning more about the progress of the SRWC, the USU Board of Trustees holds meetings on the first Friday of every month at 1 p.m. in the USU in the Senate Chambers.
