UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's Board of Trustees today (Jan. 18) approved a $26.1 million renovation and expansion of the Intramural (I.M.) Building, paid for primarily with University Park's Student Facility Fee funds and approved by the Student Facility Fee Committee.
The Intramural Building was constructed in 1975, when fall enrollment at the University Park campus was 32,068. Fall 2012 enrollment at the campus is 45,351. In 2006 a University study indicated a significant deficit in recreational space at University Park, particularly a lack of fitness facilities on the eastern portion of campus near East Halls residences.
To address those needs, this project will upgrade the facility's existing 117,000 square feet through a partial renovation and also create an addition of 48,000 square feet.
This project, modeled after the Recreation Hall fitness center project finished in 2006 on the University Park campus, is expected to begin in February and be completed in May 2014. In addition to fulfilling recreational programming requests, the addition will enhance the aesthetic qualities of the building's façade. Renovations include new cooling and sprinkler systems.
A new main entrance on Curtin Road will make the building more visible and accessible. The main entrance's lobby and reception desk area will offer easy access to a new two-level, glass-fronted fitness center and new multipurpose rooms, equipment checkout and lounge, as well as existing space, such the indoor track and basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts. Administrative offices will be adjacent to the lobby. In front of the building at Curtin Road, a new bus shelter will be added.
The majority of the mezzanine level contains the fitness center. The south end of the existing running track will be resurfaced and the corners will be rounded, and its remainder will be expanded and renovated in the future. The addition's lower level will contain a multipurpose room, classroom and space for adaptive physical education.