Penn State Fayette on track for building construction
Penn State Fayette remains on track for construction of a new multi-purpose building that is slated to open the summer of 2004. “I can’t wait,” said Dr. Gregory Gray, Fayette’s campus executive officer.
The building’s final plans gained the approval Friday of Penn State’s Board of Trustees. The trustees also authorized the university to obtain bids and award contracts for the project.
Gray said he anticipates choosing a contractor in March and breaking ground within 30 days of that selection.
“The purpose of the building was to develop some facilities on campus that we needed desperately,” Gray said.
The project cost has been estimated at about $10.5 million. The 55,000-square-foot building features a 450-seat auditorium and stage, a 200-seat dining area and kitchen, offices, a fitness center and an arena with 1,300 spectator seats for basketball and volleyball.
Gray said the building is meant for campus and community use and will address needs of the growing enrollment that he said has risen 35 percent over the past five years. He said the campus’ existing gymnasium is outdated and not conducive to the intercollegiate sports programs. He said the cafeteria is also outdated and there is no actual theater on campus. He said the building will be open to the employees of the developing adjacent research park.
Gray recalled university officials announced plans for the multi-purpose building in December 2001 and recognized a $6.9 million gift of the Eberly Foundation toward the project. Shortly after, he said Burt Hill Kosar Rittlemann Associates of Butler was selected as the architect.
The firm also served as architect for renovation of the Eberly Building.
Gray said the architect over the last 11 months has held dozens of meetings with faculty, staff and students to design the building with all needs in mind. He said a noticeable change from the initial announcement is that the new building, that will be located at the rear of the campus hub, has been moved closer to and angled toward the main buildings.
The university trustees also approved final plans for a new School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Building at University Park, estimated at $26.55 million, and a new student residence hall at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, estimated at $12.5 million.