$14 million sports complex receives nod

Appearances count.

Or at least they did to the University's Board of Trustees when it considered the construction of a new, $14 million, indoor multisport facility at its meeting Friday.

"I don't like the way it looks," said Trustee Joel Myers, who summed up many of the trustees' feelings about the proposed structure, which was ultimately approved by the board.

The facility, which will be located south of The Bryce Jordan Center, will house an indoor track, sprint lanes, a multipurpose turf area and room for 800 spectator seats, according to the plans. Although the inside was described as "state of the art," it was the exterior of the building the board did not like.

The roof, in particular, created problems for many trustees who compared the structure to a chicken coop.

The size of the track inside the building, which dictates the long, flat outside shape of the structure, and financial constraints are some of the reasons for the building's appearance, said Trustee L.J. Rowell Jr., who is chair of the committee for finance and physical plant.

"We spent more time on the inside than the outside," he said.

But the trustees were concerned because the building will be visible from The Bryce Jordan Center and University Drive.

"There's going to be a lot more people looking at it from the outside than will ever see the inside," said newly elected Board President and outgoing Board Vice President Edward Junker.

University President Graham Spanier said other versions he had seen were more attractive and some members of the committee said the sketches shown did not do the building justice.

"If it is the rendering that doesn't do it justice, then go back and get something that does do it justice," suggested outgoing Board President H. Jesse Arnelle.

The architects took that suggestion and brought in other renditions. Although the trustees did not like the other sketches much better, they approved it on the condition that the architects redesign the outside to make it more attractive, regardless of cost.

"I think it will turn out to be the nicest-looking indoor track facility in the country," Spanier said later at a news conference.

With no debate, the board also approved the creation of preliminary plans for the new Louis E. Lasch Football Building, which will be located between the Greenberg Indoor Sports Complex and Holuba Hall when it is completed after the 1999 football season. The Lasch building will house training facilities for the football team, meeting rooms, offices and a balcony overlooking the practice fields.