Spring Break
McPhee renovation gets $3.9 million
Project to replace synthetic floors with wood, update building to comply with current codes
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: Campus News
UW-Eau Claire will spend $3.9 million on McPhee renovations after approval last week by the Division of State Facilities, bringing the total amount to spend on building updates to more than $6 million.
Meanwhile, funding for a new academic building was put on hold until at least 2007, Vice Chancellor Andy Soll said.
The money the university did receive will be spent on bringing McPhee up to safety codes and giving the 43-year-old synthetic gym floor a wooden surface, Director of Facilities Planning Stephen Horner said.
"A wood floor is the preferred surface for varsity volleyball," he said. "To my knowledge, we are the only school in the (WIAC) that doesn't have a wood surface."
Senior volleyball player Jenny Wolter agreed, saying a new floor could make it easier on athletes' health and bring in bigger crowds.
"I think that injuries are not necessarily because of the floor, but (the floor) is harder on the knees and shins, because it's old and not suitable for a lot of use," she said.
The university, which already received $2.9 million for McPhee in May, will update and improve the plumbing, electrical and mechanical fixtures, which include the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems.
The money also will add a sprinkler system, which already exists in the Ade Olson addition.
"The code was not required back (when McPhee was built)," Horner said. "Today's building would require that, and it would be a great safety feature to add to the building."
Parts of the project have been on the table for more than six years, and it won't be completed for at least two years. The university is in the process of hiring architects and engineers.
The project will be paid for by state-issued construction bonds, which come from tax dollars, Horner said.While McPhee renovations passed, the Division of State Facilities tabled construction of a new academic building until at least the next biennium, which will go into effect in 2007.
Meanwhile, funding for a new academic building was put on hold until at least 2007, Vice Chancellor Andy Soll said.
The money the university did receive will be spent on bringing McPhee up to safety codes and giving the 43-year-old synthetic gym floor a wooden surface, Director of Facilities Planning Stephen Horner said.
"A wood floor is the preferred surface for varsity volleyball," he said. "To my knowledge, we are the only school in the (WIAC) that doesn't have a wood surface."
Senior volleyball player Jenny Wolter agreed, saying a new floor could make it easier on athletes' health and bring in bigger crowds.
"I think that injuries are not necessarily because of the floor, but (the floor) is harder on the knees and shins, because it's old and not suitable for a lot of use," she said.
The university, which already received $2.9 million for McPhee in May, will update and improve the plumbing, electrical and mechanical fixtures, which include the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems.
The money also will add a sprinkler system, which already exists in the Ade Olson addition.
"The code was not required back (when McPhee was built)," Horner said. "Today's building would require that, and it would be a great safety feature to add to the building."
Parts of the project have been on the table for more than six years, and it won't be completed for at least two years. The university is in the process of hiring architects and engineers.
The project will be paid for by state-issued construction bonds, which come from tax dollars, Horner said.While McPhee renovations passed, the Division of State Facilities tabled construction of a new academic building until at least the next biennium, which will go into effect in 2007.