MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune
November 15, 2014The HPER Facility Replacement Project is moving forward
The 2013 Legislative Session appropriated $5.5 million dollars to Mayville State for replacement of the 1929 Old Gymnasium, and to expand classroom and lab/practice space for the sports management, fitness and wellness, health education, and physical education majors. These programs have become the third-most popular academic majors at Mayville State.
Following legislative approval in 2013, an architectural firm was hired. Campus personnel provided their input regarding location and office, classroom, and gymnasium components desired for the new facilities. A schematic design was developed, and a construction management firm was hired, with the expectation that construction would begin in the summer of 2014.
The robust construction climate spurred by energy development in western North Dakota has affected construction activity in our area, and our first bids for the HPER project major components, including steel for the gymnasium were significantly higher than our budget. A second round of bids for mechanical, electrical and general construction services were received in May of 2014. There were few bidders, and bids received were greater than we could afford. At that time, it became apparent the project would need to be redesigned and scope would need to be reduced by 10,000 sq. ft. to stay within the funding provided by the Legislature.
The present schematic design consists of three building additions which total approximately 17,000 sq. ft. and includes new classrooms to be built in the footprint of the Old Gymnasium, which will be razed late in the spring of 2015. This building addition will be located south to the racquetball courts and along the west wall of the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. Attached to the east side of the Lewy Lee will be two building additions. A Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Division and Athletic Department office complex will be located to the north of the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse main entrance. Coaches will be housed here, along with faculty and athletic administration. A weight room and high performance lab will be located just south of the fieldhouse main entrance.
The project design will be complete in a few weeks. Bids for construction are scheduled to go out early in January of 2015, with the expectation that construction activity will begin in late April or early May of 2015. Our plan is to move into our new facilities by spring 2016, which allows about a year for construction.
The HPER project design has taken more time than anticipated, but we are confident our design will be in budget and provide a safe and functional learning and work environment for our students and employees. The HPER project, street and drainage project and Larson Alumni Center renovation project are all wonderful improvements to campus and are having a great positive impact as we celebrate of our 125th anniversary.