Centre County planners expressed approval last night of the University's 10-year growth plans which include a 300-acre research park, an events center and expansion west of Atherton Street.

Gary C. Shultz, assistant vice-president for operations and services at the University, presented several aspects of proposed campus expansion at the Centre County Planning Commission meeting last night in Bellefonte.

Robert B. Donaldson, director of the Centre County Planning Office Staff, said he was "very satisfied" with the proposed plans. "I'm pleased the University has established an open rapport with the community to be a part of the formal review process," Donaldson said.

The first plan which the commission reviewed proposes growth of the campus across Atherton Street. The plan was suggested about two years ago by H2L2, an architectural and planning firm in Philadelphia, he said.

Shultz said Transportation Planner Warren Travers detailed the development of the academic buildings across Atherton which would be used for the engineering department. In the plan, the department of earth and mineral sciences would spread into the vacancies left by the engineering department, Shultz said.

Expansion across Atherton Street would also call for a pedestrian bridge between the Walker and Hallowell buildings, he said.

"We would need a safe and convenient access from campus to the addition," Schultz said.

Schultz said Pollock Road would continue through the University gate across Atherton Street and through the northern end of the proposed development. The new buildings would eliminate seven holes of the White Golf Course, but Schultz said new holes would be built.

Schultz said the state gave the University $33.8 million toward construction of the proposed events center to be built in the vicinity of Beaver Stadium. He outlined the different reasons for the proposed locations of the visitor information center, the alumni center and the convocation center.

Schultz said there are 1,500 existing parking spaces on the east side of campus and 3,000 more are planned. He added that the Trustees approved the conceptual plan of the events center last January.

Schultz also spoke of the research park which will be built over 300 acres of land near the intersection of the Mt. Nittany Expressway and the Park Avenue Extension. An incubator facility, an interdisciplinary research facility and a conference center and hotel will comprise the research park, Schultz said.

"The University needs a space where it can collaborate more easily with the private sector of research," he said.

Schultz predicted the expansion of the Nittany Lion Inn will be completed within two to three years. The remodeling will include an addition to the back of the existing building and two new wings on the east side of the inn.

James Harpster, chairman of the Centre County Planning Commission, said that last night was the first time commission members were presented with the plans.

"I appreciate the fact the University is tying their plans into Centre Region and the county," he said.

Additional business of the commission included the approval of its 1988 annual report, presented by Chief Planner Daniel C. Pennick. The report included highlights of both the planning commission and the planning office staffs' activities for the year.

Harpster said the report will be forwarded to the Centre County Board of Commissioners.

Schultz, a 1971 graduate of the University, said it is sometimes necessary to "revisit and rethink" plans as something new comes to light in terms of expansion. "Planning never really ends," he said.