Students at Behrend know all too well the problems with Junker Center’s workout room. The primary issue is space, and specifically the lack there of. Not to worry, there are plans in the making for a complete renovation and expansion of Erie Hall, equipped with a new fitness and recreation facility that could begin construction in 2018 or 2019.
The planned expansion of Erie Hall could boost Behrend’s reputation, excite potential students, and act as the next impressive architectural triumph on campus with the newly constructed Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Center introduced in fall of 2016.
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“Yes, we are going to renovate and expand Erie Hall,” said Dr. Ken Miller, Senior Director of Campus Planning and Student Affairs.
Furthermore, Dr. Miller acknowledged that there are some problems that exist with Junker Center’s workout room. “Junker has a lack of space, students feel like they are on top of each-other, women feel uncomfortable, not enough weights, and no room for cardio,” said Dr. Miller.
Currently, Erie Hall consists of an upper half, with an average-sized gymnasium, and a lower half, which houses Behrend’s Police Services offices. The expansion to Erie Hall would be added onto the southeast side of the building stretching towards Metzgar and Reed. The expansion would stay on the land Erie Hall is on and would not cross any roads assuring students will not be affected by the construction.
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Before the blueprints can be set in stone and before the construction can be started, the project must be funded. The student facility fee has been the driver for this new Behrend recreation center, which students pay every semester. According to a past feasibility study, better recreation facilities were the most dominant choice of the Behrend community, and now it is up to the students and faculty to come together and figure out the details.
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Currently, this project is set to be funded by two primary funds. The first source for funding is expected to be $9 million from the student facility fee. Behrend’s student facility fee is contributed to by each student each semester in the amount of $124, which generates substantial revenue for Behrend that attributes to the necessity of projects, amenities, and other related needs of the campus.
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With $9 million coming from the student facility fee, Penn State Behrend is working with Penn State University Park’s Office of Physical Plant to match the student facility fee with a $9 million contribution of their own. Through these two sources of funding, the university hopes to provide Behrend students with a recreation center that matches the community’s expectations.
In making this renovation project a reality, there are many Behrend individuals involved. On the board of directors is, Chancellor Ralph Ford, Dr. Ken Miller, and Randy Geering, the Senior Director of Business and Operations. Supporting contributors include SGA president Moustafa Elhadary and the student body.
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Elhadary has used his platform as SGA President to organize a group of students to discuss how they can best convey the student body’s needs to those in charge of planning its construction. These efforts will provide students with a chance to give direct input in what they desire for a new recreation center.
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Some pre-existing issues with the Junker Center workout room such as space and convenience would be solved by the size and location of the proposed renovations and expansions. What individuals are most excited about is what will be going into the new building and how this will solve the issues that exist at Junker.
Jennifer Wallace, head coach of the Behrend swimming team, is aware of the existing problems and is excited for what could be done with the renovated workout space planned for Erie Hall. Coach Wallace additions that would benefit her athletes as well as the students. “Having more machines,” said Coach Wallace. “There are things that get used way more than others.”
Having workout space in Erie Hall and Junker Center would solve the problem of students not being able to use the workout room whenever they please; it would also benefit student-athletes and regular students. Spacing between exercise machines would eliminate the feeling of being on top of each other and hopefully address the issue of discomfort. Ideally, more space, machines, and weights will mean students don’t have to wait around or skip going to the gym because they can’t utilize what they want.
“Carefully choosing machines that will last, have long-term necessity, and be cost-friendly are very important considerations as to what might fill the space,” said Coach Wallace.
Every component of this proposed project will take time and money, but Behrend needs space for students to go especially when the winter comes. The renovation and expansion of Erie Hall could provide a much needed and much desired space for the entire Behrend community in future.
