Sebo Center delayed!
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:45 am
Story in BG News today can be found here: http://www.bgnews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/43781d4f7ec8b
Date for completion postponed on Center
Sebo athletic center delayed until February 2007
By Laura Collins
SENIOR REPORTER
November 13, 2005
The completion date for the new Sebo Student-Athlete Center will be later than previously expected, but the effects on athletics should be minimal, said Dick Waring, major gift officer of intercollegiate athletics.
Construction was scheduled to begin in the summer of 2005 with completion in the summer of 2006. Now, however, the start date is scheduled for the end of November with completion expected February 2007.
“Some of the original estimates came in higher than we thought they would so we went back to the architects and said, ‘How can we save some construction costs here?’” Waring said.
In an effort to save money, changes were made to the initial construction plans.
“We asked that they look at some of the materials that were going to be used in the building,” Waring said. “So in sense, we are trying to save in terms of building costs.”
As a result, about $1 million was knocked off of the original estimated cost making the total cost of the Sebo Center around $8.7 million.
Waring added that even though construction begins at the end of this month, they are still seeking contributions.
“We are soliciting former athletes, alums, parents and students. Everyone can participate in this at whatever level,” Waring said. “There are still naming opportunities for the different rooms starting at $25,000 and above.”
Gifts of any amount are helpful and can be split over five years. So far, they have raised just over $5 million for the project.
“We always ask our student-athletes to give 110 percent, so we’re asking potential contributors to step-forward and give 110 percent, too,” Waring said.
J.D. Campbell, assistant athletic director, said the postponed completion date shouldn’t negatively affect athletics.
“I think just the fact that getting it done and getting it done correctly is going to be a big thing,” Campbell said. “I don’t think the extra three or four months is going to be a big thing at all.”
Troy Rothenbuhler, recruiting coordinator for the University’s football team, doesn’t think the projects delay will negatively affect recruiting either.
“It will only affect it if we allow it to affect it,” he said. “The recruits know that they’ll get into it their sophomore year instead of their freshman year.”
Rothenbuhler added that he made it clear that the project was going to be completed, but that he didn’t know when the completion date would be.
When finished, the Sebo Center will be used by all 18 varsity sports, over 400 student-athletes. It will hold new sports medicine/rehabilitation and strength/training facilities as well as the football coaches’ office, teaching space for coaches and players, video equipment and a viewing room, team meeting rooms and a coaches conference room.
Date for completion postponed on Center
Sebo athletic center delayed until February 2007
By Laura Collins
SENIOR REPORTER
November 13, 2005
The completion date for the new Sebo Student-Athlete Center will be later than previously expected, but the effects on athletics should be minimal, said Dick Waring, major gift officer of intercollegiate athletics.
Construction was scheduled to begin in the summer of 2005 with completion in the summer of 2006. Now, however, the start date is scheduled for the end of November with completion expected February 2007.
“Some of the original estimates came in higher than we thought they would so we went back to the architects and said, ‘How can we save some construction costs here?’” Waring said.
In an effort to save money, changes were made to the initial construction plans.
“We asked that they look at some of the materials that were going to be used in the building,” Waring said. “So in sense, we are trying to save in terms of building costs.”
As a result, about $1 million was knocked off of the original estimated cost making the total cost of the Sebo Center around $8.7 million.
Waring added that even though construction begins at the end of this month, they are still seeking contributions.
“We are soliciting former athletes, alums, parents and students. Everyone can participate in this at whatever level,” Waring said. “There are still naming opportunities for the different rooms starting at $25,000 and above.”
Gifts of any amount are helpful and can be split over five years. So far, they have raised just over $5 million for the project.
“We always ask our student-athletes to give 110 percent, so we’re asking potential contributors to step-forward and give 110 percent, too,” Waring said.
J.D. Campbell, assistant athletic director, said the postponed completion date shouldn’t negatively affect athletics.
“I think just the fact that getting it done and getting it done correctly is going to be a big thing,” Campbell said. “I don’t think the extra three or four months is going to be a big thing at all.”
Troy Rothenbuhler, recruiting coordinator for the University’s football team, doesn’t think the projects delay will negatively affect recruiting either.
“It will only affect it if we allow it to affect it,” he said. “The recruits know that they’ll get into it their sophomore year instead of their freshman year.”
Rothenbuhler added that he made it clear that the project was going to be completed, but that he didn’t know when the completion date would be.
When finished, the Sebo Center will be used by all 18 varsity sports, over 400 student-athletes. It will hold new sports medicine/rehabilitation and strength/training facilities as well as the football coaches’ office, teaching space for coaches and players, video equipment and a viewing room, team meeting rooms and a coaches conference room.
Hopefully this will quiet a few people down, but I won't bet on that cause, well, some folks bitch to bitch.
