University Park, Pa. -- The Penn State Board of Trustees today (Nov. 19) appointed the team of L. Robert Kimball & Associates of Pittsburgh and DLR Group of Philadelphia to develop architectural plans for upgraded baseball, softball and soccer facilities on the University Park campus, and final plans for expansion and renovation of the fitness center and wrestling facilities in Recreation Hall.
The University will provide new facilities for the baseball team in one of two ways — by upgrading the existing Beaver Field or by constructing a new stadium to be shared with a minor league baseball team from the New York-Penn League. The decision on which way to proceed depends upon the release of state funds to cover the difference between renovation and a new stadium.
Upgrades are also planned for the Nittany Lion softball field, and support facilities will be added to Jeffrey Field, home of the men's and women's soccer teams.
The board also approved final plans and gave the authorization to obtain bids and award contracts for the expansion of facilities for the varsity wrestling team and the addition of the state-of-the-art Fitness Center to Rec Hall.
The fitness center will be located in an addition to Rec Hall, with a design by architects L. Robert Kimball Associates of State College that will complement both the existing Rec Hall structure and the nearby IST Building
The total budget of the project is $13.3 million.
When completed, the renovations will meet the growing demand for student fitness facilities, enhance varsity athletic training facilities and upgrade the wrestling practice area. Two new, prominent entrances to Rec Hall - one from Burrowes Road and one from Atherton Street -will be joined inside the building with a new lobby, improving pedestrian circulation to and through Rec Hall.
The lobby will provide access to the new Fitness Center, with a front counter near the entrance to the exercise area, a large open space with views to the outside. An open stairway will provide access to the mezzanine level, which will contain aerobic equipment and overlook the main exercise floor.
A "Walk of Honor" will lead to the new and renovated varsity strength training area and varsity wrestling practice facility, which will include four mats, retractable bleachers and a recruiting lounge. Underutilized and poorly configured spaces within the core of the existing building will be renovated into new wrestling locker and team rooms, a varsity medical training room, an equipment storage area and an aerobic exercise room. The outdated facilities addressed by the project have not been renovated or expanded since 1964, during which time enrollment at University Park has more than doubled.