Purdue to receive renovation
fund
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
State Sen. Ronnie Alting has announced that over
$56,000,000 appropriated by the State Budget Committee will be spent
for renovations at Purdue.
According to Alting's news release, Purdue is a
big winner in the latest rounds of appropriations.
Purdue will receive $1,000,000 for the Heavilon
Hall basement heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement.
The heating ventilation and air conditioning system was built in the
1950s and doesn't work efficiently to provide dehumidification or ventilation
in the building. The central station air handling unit and other heating
ventilation and air conditioning components will be replaced according
to Alting's news release.
The Purdue Memorial Union will receive $700,000
to renovate 10 bowling lanes, existing women's toilets and the air-handling
unit. The four north bowling lanes will be removed and be replaced by
billiards tables.
Bob Mindrum, director of the Union, said that the
Union would like to consolidate the location of the bowling lanes and
the billiards to leave empty space.
"We are investigating new uses for that space,"
said Mindrum. "One idea on the table is that it will be used for student
organizations."
With the completion of the recreation center, a
new disabled ramp and a small office will be added as well.
Mindrum hopes that the center will be completed
soon.
"With regard to the recreation center, the demolition
will begin after commencement in May with the intent to have it completed
by the beginning of the fall semester," said Mindrum.
In addition to the new recreational facilities,
the Union will also be receiving $650,000 for a sprinkler and fire alarm
system in the sub-basement and basement of the building.
The project was designed to bring the Union up
to modern fire and safety standards, according to Mindrum. The sprinkler
project will begin in February 2001.
Purdue's Union will not be the only organization
receiving funds. According to the news release, Purdue will produce
bonds totaling $48,200,000 for residence halls to modernize and to augment
three dining commons. Four retail-dining facilities and one new dining
commons will be added as well.
The dining hall improvements will be made in Earhart
Hall, Windsor Hall, Tarkington Hall and a new dining facility will be
added between Cary Quadrangle and Owen Hall, according to Kris Schraeder,
manager of Shreve Hall.
Shreve Hall will receive $4,500,000 for air conditioning
and a fire sprinkler system to be installed in student rooms, according
to the news release.
Schraeder said, "We are very excited about the
improvements being made in student wings."
The project will involve three phases, according
to Schraeder; the first will begin this summer.
Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-27th, said, "These are important
projects for Purdue. In particular, the residence halls food service
consolidation project will have a significant impact both on the student
population and the bottom line for the food service's operating costs.
"The new arrangement should meet the students'
needs in a better fashion while saving money for the University. It
will prove to be a good investment by the state," Klinker said
In addition to saving money in the dining halls
of Purdue, funds have been appropriated to provide a qualified energy
savings program. The funds will provide energy savings measures in Brown
Laboratory of Chemistry, Lily Hall of Life Sciences and Stewart Center,
according to the news release.
Mindrum said that it is common for the public to
think funds are being given to the University. He opposes this idea.
"All of these projects are funded from within our
operations," said Mindrum. "Before we can spend those amounts of money,
we have to have the board of trustees approval and in this case the
approval of the State Budget Committee."
Mindrum said that this money is not allocated;
it is simply given state approval for its usage.
|
