ACU Recreation Hall Expansion
By: Priscilla Luong
Updated: December 3, 2008
The recreation center at Abilene Christian University might see some big changes in the near future.
Dr. Royce Money, President of ACU, says, "we're excited about our recreation, and fitness center, that will hopefully be online soon."
The changes stir excitement within ACU's student body.
"I think that would be a good addition to the ACU Campus," says Ferron Salley, an ACU freshman.
Keri Gray agrees, "people are really looking forward to the new ones that are being built."
The university is still mapping out the blueprints, but so far, officials say the Gibson Center will have a 77,000 square feet expansion. Renovations will also take place in the current facility, which was built around the 1960's. Some additions to the recreation center include a rock climbing wall, two aquatic centers, an overhead track, and a juice bar.
"All kinds of things that are healthy and good for you," says Dr. Money.
Many students believe the changes will help attract more prospective students.
Preston Woolfolk works in the admissions office. He thinks showing students a new state of the art recreation center when they tour ACU, will make the campus more competitive with other major Texas universities, but in order to make the blueprints become a reality, it's going to cost ACU more than $20 Million.
There have been rumors circulating that ACU decided to halt construction due to financial problems. Administrators say there is still more planning that needs to be done on top of raising money, but when it comes to fundraising, many student here have ideas of their own. Woolfolk says social clubs and students organizations should join in and help ACU raise funds for the Gibson Hall expansion.
He also thinks students should be involved in the planning, "we want it as much as they do, and I think it should be a student lead project also."
Salley believes the new additions to Gibson Hall will help build unity within ACU's student body, but she does not mind waiting for the changes.
"If there are delays in money, I don't want my tuition to go up, because I'd rather have it keep being delayed until they get the funding," says Salley.
ACU hopes to break ground for construction by 2009.
