Houstonian Updates

The weight room wait is over

The wait is finally over for the official grand opening of the newly renovated Health and Kinesiology Center, just in time for students who made a "New Year Resolution" to shed a few unwanted pounds during 2006. The addition to the 10,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art HKC facility includes 40 cardio machines, 25 plate loaded machines, a section for free weights, heated swimming pool, new multipurpose room and a 34 ft. rock wall for students would like to diversify their workouts.

Projects bring updates to science facilities

Several construction projects around the SHSU campus near completion and several more have just broken ground. The Farrington Building is nearly finished after undergoing major renovations and should be completely done close to the beginning of the spring semester. Once this two million dollar project is completed, both departments will have new state-of-the-art facilities including the addition of several research labs.

The construction of a new Visitors and Alumni Center is scheduled for completion in April of 2006. The new building, to be used by admissions and the alumni center, is estimated to cost $3.2 million and is to be positioned near Estill on the south side of campus. The entire first floor will house the Visitors Center, while the second will contain Alumni Relations. School officials expect the center to be the "front door" to the university and will have all campus tours begin from its location. In addition to new technology, the building will feature a 50-seat auditorium, second floor patio and an art plaza.

The most recent project to begin is the construction of Raven Village. The new 400-bed residence hall on the south side of campus is scheduled to open in the fall of 2006 and will be available to all students who are sophomores and above. Each room will have two bedrooms, living room, kitchenette, vanity and bathroom. "Raven Village should be done in time for it to open in the fall of 2006," John McCroskey of the SHSU Physical Plant said. "It will probably be done sometime near the end of July."

Yet another step forward for SHSU athletics will be the construction of a new weight facility that will be located near the new softball/baseball complex. The structure will be approximately 11,000 square feet and will contain coaches' offices as well as men's and women's changing rooms. Also included in the complex will be a 9,000 square foot area weight room for SHSU athletes to use. "Right now they've got a small one in the field house, but it's just not adequate," McCroskey said. Since 2002, SHSU has spent an estimated $140 million on various construction and renovation projects across the campus.