The State College Design Review Board on Tuesday approved plans for expansions to Rec Hall that include a new fitness center. The fitness center will be added in 2006 in an effort to alleviate long lines faced by students and faculty at existing campus exercise facilities.

Marvin Bevan, Office of Physical Plant project manager, said construction on the 20,000-square-foot fitness center addition is expected to begin in April. It is expected to open in fall 2006, in time for the start of the 2006-07 academic year.

The addition will be constructed on the west side of Rec Hall facing Atherton Street, creating another entrance to the building.

In addition to the new fitness facility, Bevan said the south part of Rec Hall will be renovated and expanded, updating the facilities the Penn State wrestling team uses for practice.

Penn State wrestling coach Troy Sunderland said the remodeled facility will only be used for training and practices, and no matches will be held there.

Bevan said the remodeled south side will also contain a strength training facility that can be used by any varsity athlete.

"This will be separate from the facilities in the new addition that will be available to any Penn State student, faculty or staff member," he said.

Although Penn State's Board of Trustees approved the fitness center addition at its Nov. 19 meeting, Bevan said the project has been in the works for about four years. "We've been doing studies into the cost of the project and its need among students and faculty," he said.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the need for more exercise space eventually became overwhelmingly clear.

The Rec Hall addition and renovation is expected to cost $13.3 million. Bevan said Intercollegiate Athletics is funding the renovation of the south gym for the wrestling team, and Penn State is providing funds for the new fitness center.

Sunderland said wrestlers, especially new recruits, are excited about having a better facility for training and practice.

"It's a shame that the older guys won't have the opportunity to use the new facility," he said.

Although the new fitness center will only be open to Penn State students, faculty and staff, State College Zoning Officer Herman Slaybaugh said it affects the whole community and needs to have input from its members.