Construction has begun on a 28,000-square-feet, $2.4 million multi-purpose athletic complex at Wayne State University. It will have locker rooms, a sprint track and tennis courts, but will primarily consist of open space that can be programmed in a multitude of ways. "It will take away a lot of the stress and a lot of the operating scheduling constraints at the Matthei Building," says athletic director Rob Fournier.
Two major factors have contributed to a need for additional space. When Matthei was built, in 1964, women's athletics were non-existant -- Title IX was not passed until 1972. Also, since Fournier came on board at WSU in 2000, participation in intramural sports has grown by a whopping 871 percent.
The structure is situated just north of the Matthaei Building, south of I-94 and west of the Lodge. Turner Construction is responsible for both the design and construction, which is expected to be completed in June 2011. The project is being funded by a combination of private donations and athletic revenue sources.
Source: Rob Fournier, WSU
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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