New Building For Students at USA

By Steve Alexander Reporter

University unveils plans for a new student recreation center

Published: Wed, April 23, 2008 - 8:10 pm
Last Updated: Wed, April 23, 2008 - 8:32 pm

Steve Alexander

Students at the University of South Alabama are getting something new.
School officials on Wednesday unveiled plans to build a new Student Recreation Center on campus.
It will be built at the corner of Old Shell Road and Stadium Boulevard, across from Stanky Field.
USA President Gordon Moulton said, "We're going to see our student body continue to grow, more students living on campus. This gives them an extra outlet for their energy."
There's already a recreation center on campus, but it will be replaced by this new 116-thousand square foot facility.
Student Government Association President Jennifer Edwards says, "We're going to have an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, which will be very nice because it will be a year-round kind of place to hang out. There are going to be, I believe, indoor basketball courts. There's going to be an indoor kind of multi-purpose court where you can play different sports there, normally that are played outside."
School officials say the new center is expected to cost about $30 million.
Moulton says money to build the facility comes from a bond issue that will be paid back with money from tuition and there will be no extra cost to students.
He says, "That's already been all built in. This project has already been planned for. The bonds have already been sold. Its all funded."
Students say the center will build on the enthusiasm already generated by the start of the football program.
Edwards says, "There's a lot of noise, a lot of talk on campus about it. You see South Alabama Football shirts everywhere. Everywhere you go you see it."
School officials say the new center could be finished as soon as late next year.