Trustees approve construction projects

HERSHEY -- More on-campus construction will be in store for students at University Park.

The University Board of Trustees approved Friday the final plans of the renovations to White Building and authorized the University to obtain bids and award contracts for the construction of the new Louis E. Lasch Football Building.

The White Building expansion, which will include an addition next to Atherton Hall, will create a first-floor swimming pool and an expanded gymnastics area, said Gary Schultz, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer.

The current swimming pool area will be renovated to create areas for strength training, defensive sports and general activities, he added.

The $9 million project will be designed by Wallace and Watson Associates of Allentown.

The new football building will be an addition to the Greenberg Indoor Sports Complex and will include a 185-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, office space, training and rehabilitation rooms and a balcony area overlooking the practice fields, Schultz said.

The building will replace the current football training and administrative facilities. The $14.7 million project was designed by L.D. Astorino of Pittsburgh and HOK Sports of Kansas City.

The board also discussed the release of funds by Gov. Tom Ridge for the construction of a classroom building to be added to the Thomas Building. The project, which University President Graham Spanier called a "welcome and needed addition," will house offices, classrooms and a 600-seat auditorium.

Although Ed Hintz, vice president of the board, said he was concerned that technology might make such a large lecture hall obsolete, Spanier said all of the classrooms will be equipped with the most updated technology.

The popularity of events at The Bryce Jordan Center have necessitated another construction project. The board also approved the construction of a $1.4 million parking lot that will provide an additional 756 parking spaces.