Rome wasn’t built in one day, and after a year of setbacks and constant groundbreaking rescheduling, the multipurpose center hasn’t been either.
The new facility was scheduled to break ground as early as this May, according to a previous Post article, but has struggled deciding what size to make the track surrounding the full-size indoor turf surface.
The Multipurpose Facility Program Advisory Committee had several size options to choose from, ranging from not implementing a track at all to a full six-lane track, which could have hosted competitive meets.
In the end, under the direction of former Vice President of Student Affairs Kent Smith, the committee settled for the $12.6 million option somewhere in between, as a four-lane track with four 90-degree curves instead of an oval lap was implemented.
With the decision, Ohio will miss out on the chance to build a facility capable of hosting competitive meets, while other Mid-American Conference schools such as Kent State, Akron and Eastern Michigan have been able to host such events for years.
Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi said the committee had no other choice but a four-lane track.
“There is not enough space between Peden Stadium and the little (stream),” he said. “Right now with a four-lane track, we are barely fitting in there.”
Lombardi said additional space must be available outside the building in case of a fire.
“Two lanes don’t sound like a lot, but it does enough on both sides of the building (to not fit it anymore),” he said. “(If we were to add a six-lane track), we would have to completely rethink where we put the facility on campus.”
A movement, however, wasn’t justifiable, Lombardi said, as a competitive-sized track in the facility would have cost $20 million, but not enough money was generated to cover its costs.
Ohio’s Assistant Dean of Campus Recreation Franklin Douglas agreed with Lombardi.
“We did a cost-benefit analysis on it and the committee pushed it and said it would be a great idea for Southeast Ohio — there’s some benefits — but the financial cost of that facility would never be recovered,” he said.
Although one entity of the campus was represented with Douglas, other options were not. According to the Multipurpose Facility Program Advisory Committee’s final report, Ohio track and field coach Clay Calkins wasn’t involved in the decision making, while Jim Schaus, the Director of Athletics and former Ohio soccer coach Stacy Strauss represented Ohio Athletics.
“I know the track and field team hasn’t been part of the conversation since I have been part of the project (since June 2012)”, Lombardi said. “I would assume their interests were represented by Jim Schaus.”
Schaus declined to comment on any matter relating to the multipurpose center.
Calkins, in the meantime, emphasized that the multipurpose center will help the track and field team to train during the winter months and to recruit more high-caliber athletes.
“Getting the facility this year is going to be paramount in the success we’re striving for,” he said.
am794811@ohiou.edu
Editor's note: This article's photo caption was updated to accurately reflect that Miranda Richardson is a junior.
