CSU trustees' OK marks next step for rec center
Bakersfield Californian 5/14/07
These are some ways Cal State Bakersfield students may re-create in the future.
Way back in 2005, students voted to raise their activity fees, in part to fund a new Student Recreation Center. A year ago, the California State University system trustees approved the rec center's design.
On Wednesday, the center will take a big step forward if CSU trustees approve revenue bonds to finance it.
Trustee approval is necessary before construction may begin. The center would be south of the Student Union.
The $22 million, 75,000-square-foot project will "probably be the nicest fitness facility in the San Joaquin Valley," said Michael Neal, vice president for business and administrative services. It would have a juice bar, a three-court gymnasium and activity rooms for martial arts and yoga. Students may play on a lighted outdoor intramural field.
The higher activity fees students approved -- which were about $50 per quarter in 2005 and are about $200 per quarter this year -- would help repay the bonds and cover the operating costs once the building is operational, Neal said.
It's not known when the bonds would be issued.
The rec center will be modern-looking and feature state-of-the-art equipment. Students can expect a facility with plenty of natural light, said architect Don Dethlefs of the Denver-based firm Sink Combs Dethlefs.
The firm designed a student recreation center and Save Mart Center at Fresno State.
The Bakersfield rec center may help boost student life at the largely commuter school.
"It's going to be the cornerstone of our campus," said Ken Beurmann, Bakersfield's student body president.
Junior psychology major Gary Simmons looks forward to working out at it.
"I'd rather use it than pay my gym membership fee at 24 Hour Fitness," he said.
Construction may start in June, and the goal is to have the facility built by September 2008, Neal said.
Even students who will be alumni by the time the rec center is built can use it.
"For every quarter that they have paid fees, they will have free access for that number of quarters," Neal said.
Junior Robert Hernandez isn't happy about paying more fees.
"I don't like it, but there's not much I can do about it," he said. But he realizes the center will be good for future Cal State students.
In other news, the trustees on Wednesday also will consider granting conceptual approval to the Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind project, an interactive children's museum.
It's the third and final proposed public-private partnership at the campus.