ESU rec center may cost students more

By RYAN WILSON

Special to The Capital-Journal

EMPORIA --- Emporia State University students may have to dig a little deeper to finance a new campus recreation center.

The center will cost about $3 million, which covers the minimal building requirements, but doesn't cover the $264,000 needed to pay back the debt created by the higher interest rates on bond financing and higher construction costs.

Ray Hauke, ESU vice president for administration and fiscal affairs, said more money is needed because construction costs and interest rates have increased more than expected.

The recreation center now costs full-time students $27 a semester and part-time students $2 a credit hour over the next 20 years.

Hauke said the debt will require about $1.50 more from each full- time student each semester and about 50 cents per credit hour more from part-time students.

Construction is estimated to be complete by the end of fall 2001.

The center will include two gymnasiums, a walk-around track, weight room, aerobics area, commons area, lockers, restrooms without showers and an exterior all-sports court.

The center, which will be visible from Interstate 35, will be made of limestone and brick --- the same as the health, physical education, recreation and althetics building to the north.

The bid process can't begin until President Kay Schallenkamp pledges the additional monies needed for the center, and she can't pledge the money unless the student government consents to a raise in student fees.

Student government might be reluctant to approve the fee increase since it had wanted the third gymnasium and suspended track when it originally agreed to finance construction of the center.

If the fee isn't increased, Schallenkamp may have to take funds from student fees already in place, which means taking away from other programs.

Copyright 2000
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.