Letter
from the President
As printed in the State Hornet,
May 3, 2006
To the Campus Community:
In
the past few weeks, there has been much news about plans
for the new Alex G. Spanos Sports & Recreation Complex.
Unfortunately, there has also been information that is misleading,
exaggerated or just plain wrong. I would like to clarify
a few things.
First,
we are moving forward with the Recreation, Wellness and
Events Center. We have raised the initial $25 million I
promised to raise, and I will continue to find funding and
partners. The RWEC is an important component of Destination
2010 – an initiative to make this a destination campus
for the West and a premier metropolitan university. By early
summer, we will finish the “programming” phase
in which we determine exactly what spaces will go into this
building. The next step, this summer and fall, is to have
the architect complete more detailed drawings. I expect
to begin construction in early 2008 and open by 2010.
Recently,
there was confusion when the Associated Students asked me
not to fund the Broad Athletic Facility as part of the larger
Spanos Sports & Recreation Complex. They believed that
since the Broad Facility was not part of the original student-approved
plan, its construction costs should not come out of the
$25 million I promised to raise before the new student fee
took effect. While we did not specifically mention it in
the student referendum two years ago, we have always known
the old field house would need to be replaced. And sure
enough, the architect has recommended that we demolish it
in order to make sufficient room for a major Recreation,
Wellness and Events Center. I have consulted the University’s
legal counsel on this issue and counsel has determined that
the Broad Athletic Facility is a necessary part of the overall
Complex. Therefore, there is no reason to delay the project
and we will move forward as planned.
The
Spanos Sports & Recreation Complex will be the largest
project ever built at Sacramento State. With well over 300,000
square feet of new construction, as well as a major renovation
of Hornet Stadium, it must be built and funded in stages.
My administration is committed to building it all, and we
will continue to raise money until we have done it. The
Complex includes:
The
Recreation, Wellness and Events Center, at approximately
150,000 square feet, will be an important new part of student
life. Though the list still needs to be finalized, the building
is likely to include a fitness center, recreational courts,
rock-climbing walls and a health center. Construction is
scheduled to begin in spring 2008 and be completed in 2010.
The
Broad Athletic Facility (pronounced "BRODE") is
a 26,000 square-foot field house to the south of the stadium
that will include a team weight room, coaches’ offices
and other space for intercollegiate athletics. Groundbreaking
will be in fall 2006 with completion expected in late 2007.
The
Arena will be to the east of the stadium and is envisioned
as seating up to 8,000 for events such as intercollegiate
basketball, commencement and concerts. It is expected to
be at least 160,000 square feet. We are looking for a private
partner to help build and operate it.
Hornet
Stadium will be renovated with upgraded seating, boxes,
concessions and other amenities. Seating capacity and other
details are still being developed
Finally,
I am making a renewed commitment to keeping you informed
with a new project website: www.SpanosSportsComplex.com.
You can also learn more about our ambitious Destination
2010 initiative at www.csus.edu/Destination2010.
It
is inevitable that, despite all of our best efforts, there
will be some confusion and miscommunication as part of the
changes happening at Sacramento State. But I hope you agree
that this is a small price to pay for the outstanding facilities
we will gain.
I
want you to know that nothing will change my enthusiasm
for this project and this campus.
Sincerely,
Alexander Gonzalez
President
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