Could new recreational facilities be in the works for the students of Fairfield University? Campus officials are discussing it, but the timetable is unclear for the project.
According to the University website, more than 85 percent of students use the Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Recreation Complex which was built in 1979. Around 400 students participate in varsity athletics, and there are at least 1,500 who take part in club sports, intramurals and other fitness programs.
“We are at capacity now,” said Phil Palumbo, director of the complex.
Vice President of Student Affairs, Mark C. Reed said that since the University is always looking to improve, students could expect possible renovations although he is unsure when.
“I think most people would understand that the University is always in some sort of a planning process. It just depends on the degree or intensity of that process. We are considering several aspects of the physical plant and Alumni Hall and the Rec-Plex are part of that mix”, said Reed.
If the decision is made, it will be a great expense to the University.
“It is safe to say that any renovations to Alumni Hall and the Rec-Plex will cost millions of dollars,” he said.
A member of the swim team said other renovations weren’t being made because of the possibility of redoing the Rec-Plex.
“We heard that the school would not be renovating our locker rooms because there was a possibility that the university might be re-doing the Rec-Plex ,” said Rachael Waldstein, ’08, member of the Fairfield University’s women’s swim team.
Palumbo said renovations are necessary.
“It will create more space and enable the Department to expand our services for the students,” he said.
Reed said the renovations would be beneficial for the students, and if they take place students can expect to see several changes.
“The recreational weight area, cardio areas and locker rooms are the most prominent areas that will be considered.” He said.
Many students are excited to hear of these plans but said they do not take them too seriously.
“It would be great to have a new gym on campus but I don’t really see it happening anytime soon…the school has so many new projects going on such as the new garden apartments…it seems like a lot to do at once,” said Kaitlyn Buckheit, ’09, a communications major.
Some older students said they would be annoyed by the renovations, as they feel it may shut down the gym for a while leaving them with no place to work out.
“Having a new gym on campus would be great but I know it will not be completed quickly…I know I certainly will not see the benefits…if the gym is shut down during the school year where are we supposed to work out,” said Lauren Fahey, ’08.
Athletes said they were concerned where they would practice while the facility was renovated.
Marina Meliones ’10, a member of the Women’s swim team, explained how her team uses the pool everyday for practice.
“I just can’t imagine where they would put us while they were in the process of building a new pool,” said Meliones.
Head Swim Coach Bill Farley said he’d like to see it redone.
“If the complex is expanded I believe it will greatly benefit the student body,” said Farley.
Farley feels his team would benefit greatly if there was a new pool because there would be more flexibility for practice times, new equipment, and that hopefully the team would become better funded in order to compete with top swimming schools in the MAAC such as Rider, Marist and Loyola.
There may also be hope of hosting the MAAC championships if a pool rebuilt, said Reed.
“There are league requirements. If our facility were to meet those requirements, we certainly would be interested in considering this. We host other MAAC championships on campus,” he said.
Although the majority of the student body seems excited to hear the possibility of expanding the complex, they will have to sit and wait to see what happens.
“We are in the process of assessing our feasibility for such a project and the focus of the potential project.” said Reed.
Leave a Reply