Money doesn’t grow on trees, but Ohio University has found a way to put enough of it together to fund a new multipurpose center.
The project has been made possible by an $8 million donation by Robert and Margret Walter of Dublin, Ohio, both of whom are 1967 OU graduates.
The estimated cost to construct the 74,000-square-foot facility sits at $11 million — $2.1 million of which has not yet materialized.
Dan Quarfoot, a senior studying journalism and former OU multipurpose committee member, is satisfied with how the planning stages have translated into where the project is today.
“As far as I know, since we submitted the proposal in the spring, everything has gone as we’ve thought it was supposed to,” he said.
He added that he was unaware of any changes that have been made to the committee’s proposal.
A primary purpose of the center would be to house football practices, though it would be available for usage by other sports and organizations.
“The multipurpose facility will provide a range of activities from athletics to Marching 110 practice to academics and co-curriculars,” said Becky Watts, chief of staff to OU President Roderick McDavis.
Quarfoot said that, beyond the football team, it is yet to be determined who will have top priority in using the center.
The building’s versatility will be one of its strong suits. A 130-by-390-square-foot artificial-turf surface will be complemented by sprint lanes, padded walls, a film platform, and a netting system designed to maximize potential users, among other features.
“It would certainly help the athletics,” Quarfoot said. “It’ll be really nice for most of the teams to be able to practice on the turf.”
The possibility of adding a four-lane track originally was entertained but was dashed when plans were finalized because of its overbearing price tag.
“If you think about it from a recreational perspective, whether it is an opportunity for the 110 to, on a rainy day, practice not outside or a campus recreation perspective, where you get another space for your intramural sports, it’s an excellent opportunity for campus to come together in a shared space,” Watts said.
Ohio football coach Frank Solich believes that having practice indoors would not only be an added convenience for his team but also aid the team in its actual preparation.
“We’d be in that facility any time you’re in really bad weather: Preparing for a bowl game, you’d be in the facility. Where it really comes into play is the off-season; quarterbacks would be able to throw year-round,” he said.
The facility has the potential to do more than maximize current Bobcat talent. Solich believes such a facility will be a major help in drawing recruits to Athens.
“You’d be able to attract true throwing quarterbacks, and we’re seeing a difference already with the idea that it’s going to move forward,” he said. “We’re getting a response from athletes, and so it’s going to be just a plus for us.”
The next step in the process will be entertaining bids for potential contractors.
This will likely take place before the end of fall quarter, Quarfoot said.
From there, he estimates the winning contractor will begin work fairly quickly.
“It’ll be anywhere between two and four years,” Quarfoot said of the building’s opening. “I would say that two (years) is the shortest realistic timetable."
jr992810@ohiou.edu
