The 1994-95 athletic season was supposed to be the swan song for basketball and other events in Rec Hall. But it looks as if the 1995-96 season will be the last hurrah.

The Bryce Jordan Center, a 15,000-seat arena currently under construction across from Beaver Stadium, was expected to be completed this spring, but will not be ready until January 1996.

"The contract was awarded last winter, and due to the snow and ice the workers got a late start," said William McKinnon, senior associate vice president for finance and business at Penn State, who is working with the state on the arena. "They planned on starting in March. They thought they would be able to make the time up."

Julie Ohlson, press secretary for the state Department of General Services which is supervising the construction, said the center needs a "shaking down" once construction is completed in December.

The process involves testing heating and ventilation to ensure they work properly. This process must be completed before the center can be used, Ohlson said.

"Another delay is possible," she said. "But let's not think about that."

The center, which will be the third largest arena in the Big Ten, was originally scheduled to open in September 1995. But because of a two-and-a-half month delay, it is now scheduled to be ready for the start of Big Ten basketball in January 1996, McKinnon said.

"We're now hoping to have it done for the second part of the season, which is the Big Ten conference schedule," he added.

Penn State coaches are also concerned with the slow progress in the construction of the center. Lion wrestling Coach John Fritz said Penn State's probable nod to host the prestigious National Wrestling Coaches Association All Star Classic at the end of January 1996 will now have to be delayed another year.

And Lady Lion Basketball Coach Rene Portland is puzzled by the delay.

"We've had the nicest winter in the history of State College and we can't even get a roof on the project," she said.

McKinnon said no official decision concerning how tickets will be sold will be made until late spring. Tickets would probably have to be sold in two packages -- one for Rec Hall games and another for games at the center, he added.

Opposing coaches are also anticipating the opening of the center -- even those who do not always receive a warm reception from Penn State fans. Indiana Men's Basketball Coach Bob Knight said he would not be suprised if his team makes one more visit to Rec Hall.

"It ain't going to be ready next year -- unless you brought in construction people from Mars," Knight said after the Hoosiers defeated the Lions Wednesday night. "There's no American construction company that will get it done."