Shelbie Harris
Staff Writer
After students, faculty and staff wrap up the spring semester, and graduates go off to find their dream jobs, the halls of Reed Gym expect to see solid improvements.
Multiple additions and improvements will be made to the bathrooms, parking and overall look of the facility and its surroundings.
“Five separate projects [at Reed Gym] will be going on during the summer hours to minimize the interruptions and impact on schedules,” said Cheryl Hanson, director of engineering, planning and environment.
The project to be completed first involves the northern-facing doors along Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
The doors near the Memorial Drive intersection currently feature an ADA-accessible ramp.
The ramp is currently too steep. The section will need to be lengthened in order to meet certain safety and ordinance regulations.
“The extension of the ramp will result in the addition of a festival-type area that pops out at the entryway,” said Hanson.
“As you draw closer to Cadet Field you’ll see another set of doors, those as well as the doors adjacent Cadet Field, facing west, that have large glass panels above will be replaced with an insulated translucent panel that still allows light in,” Hanson continued.
Much of the landscaping work done across campus, including the new large berm featuring trees and plants that will serve as a new addition to the northern facing entryway of Reed Gym, has been donated by benefactor Jack Wheatley.
“This summer project would significantly enhance [Reed Gym]. As you’re driving down Memorial, you’d see this lovely landscaped area,” said Hanson. “This area would also somewhat shield or buffer the view of the parking area in front.”
Although an already limited area for parking will be slightly affected, it is planned that in the future the sidewalk will be widened to accommodate the improvements.
The parking in front of Reed Gym will be impacted by the installment of the berm. However the overall flow of traffic and parking availability shouldn’t face many obstacles.
The section of parking near the tennis courts preventing vehicles from accessing the side or rear parking of Reed Gym will be removed, allowing traffic to move more freely.
The men’s and women’s shower areas are also scheduled to see some upgrades.
In addition to the replacement of all tiling and plumbing located in the showers, individual showering sections with separate drains will be added to the locations for added privacy and safety.
“Instead of gang-type situations where all the water goes in together down into one drain,” said Hanson. “It will be separated out in order to remain in compliance with health code regulations.”
In the pool area there is currently a mezzanine, the small floor between two main levels usually featuring a balcony, which contains rails that are too short. These railings will be extended for added enjoyment and safety.
“There are three other little projects that we are looking into, but we don’t have any plans in place for when these events would occur,” said Hanson.
All projects mentioned are anticipated to be completed prior to the beginning of the 2014 fall semester and should have little impact on the involvement of students taking advantage of summer courses offered at ISU.
