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SRC Expansion Project

 

Above: A rendering of what an expansion could look like as seen from the corner of Apache and McAllister.

Please click above to support SRC expansion. You will log-in to a secure website with your ASUrite ID, then simply click a check box showing you support SRC expansion. In an effort to emphasize the student body support for the SRC expansion project, those names submitted may be provided to ASASU, the Arizona Board of Regents, or others interested in the expansion project.

The expansion is supported by:

 

What is the expansion project? 

There seems to be some recent confusion about the possibility of having a health spa in the expanded portion of the SRC. To clarify, a health spa would be funded entirely by an outsourced company (not ASU students). If a spa company cannot be found, then a health spa will not be part of the expansion.

The SRC is currently in the process of garnishing support from numerous organizations, associations, and student groups. The ultimate goal is to gain the support of ASU's student body to ensure that an SRC Expansion project can swiftly move forward.

The Current SRC expansion proposal Includes:

  • Enhancements and updates to the current Facility
  • Indoor Track
  • Possible Rock Climbing Wall
  • More Weight Gyms with New Equipment
  • More Cardio Areas with New Equipment
  • More Basketball Courts
  • Multi-Purpose Gyms for Sport Clubs, Intramurals, and Drop-in Activities
  • Health Spa
  • Live Well Health Cafe
  • Lounge Space/ Social Space
  • Classrooms
  • Assessment Area with Sports Medicine
  • Chiropractic and Physical Therapy
  • And Much More

YOU decide what's important!

Above: A rendering of what a new entrace and Live Well cafe could look like with views of new cardio and strengh areas in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question, comment or suggestion about the expansion? Ask now! 

How much will this cost? The cost of the expansion project is estimated at $60 million dollars. Many factors such as what amenities are included and how much support from outsourced portions of the project (such as the spa and rock climbing wall) could vary the exact cost. The estimated cost will most likely be around $30 extra dollars a semester per student included in student fees (about the cost of a dinner per two).

Where would an expansion be? An expansion would be an addition built onto the current SRC on the east side of the building between the SRC and Hassaympa (where currently there are tennis courts). An expansion would wrap around the swimming pool with the main entrance being on Apache and McAllister.
 
If I’m a sophomore or junior student, will I ever be able to use the expanded facility? How long will it take to build? The length of the expansion project depends on you. The more student support, the more quickly the project can be approved to move forward. If you are junior, you may not get to use the results of an expansion, but you will play an important part of providing for the future of ASU. Additionally, all ASU alumni may be SRC members or visit as guests while in town for Homecoming or family weekend.
 
Does the SRC need an expansion? The SRC was built in 1989, while it is still a beautiful facility, it’s simply not big enough for such a large student population. As the student body continues to grow, space becomes limited and the wait for equipment increases. An SRC expansion would expand facilities, programs, services and equipment meaning weight time at machines will be less and over crowding during intramural basketall (for example) could be eliminated. Space is already limited for current ASU Sport Clubs, intramural sports, group fitness classes and demand from other student groups who all need gym and court space.
 
What will happen to the current facilities? As part of the expansion, there are plans to update and retro-fit the current facility to match the new addition. There will also be repairs and modifications to the SRC fields and outdoor spaces.

Patron submitted question - 9/30: "I gradutated in May, so maybe I don't know, but hasn't Sparky's Yard offered a lot more space? I only lifted. They have plenty of that. They do need more treadmills; I saw lines for those."

SRC Response: Thank you for your comment. Sparky's Yard (the SRC outdoor weight room)  offers 5,000 square feet of space for weight room equipment. Sparky's Yard  was was constructed to help alleviate over-crowding in the weight room but has limitations on it's use based on the weather. For patron safety, during the Arizona summers which extend into the Fall semester and being in early Spring, we can't operate Sparky's weight room during the day due to heat. Additionally, due to outdoor elements such as wind and sand it's often difficult to keep Sparky's Yard dust-free. An expanded in-door weight room would help meet students needs more effectively and thoroughly than Sparky's Yard.

Regarding lines for treadmills, there are often people waiting for cardio equipment during the late afternoon and evening hours. An expanded SRC would include more space and more options for cardio equipment that students demand.

Comment submitted on Facebook , 10/1/08: "They spent $50 Million on our MU alone over this summer. Along with all of the new student housing and the development of the light-rail, there is no way the SRC will be touched within 5 years."

Response: Construction for the SRC, vs the MU or new studenthousing, is all funded in different ways. The MU was funded through insurance and the university, the new Vista del Sol apartments were built by an outside company, and the light rail was funded though tax payer dollars not associated with ASU. Of the three projects listed, none of them was funded throught an increase in student fees (estimated $25 a semester), which is how the SRC expansion would be funded. The goal is also to find funding sourcest hat can off set the cost for students such as privatization of a spa and development dollars for named facilities.

 
Patron submitted question 10/6/08:  "Since the new SRC plans are already under way, I think it would be a swell plan to include a "gone green" section to the SRC. By this I mean having treadmills, biking equipment and stair steps that GENERATE electricity rather than use it to power the machines. If these machines are able to create energy and a generator can store the engery, then it's possible that we can use that power elsewhere, rather than using energy from some company that costs ASU money."

Response: Thank you for your comment! Regarding the new plans for the SRC, what has been developed so far is an architects rendering of what an expansion COULD look like, not necessarily what it will end up having. If an expansion is approved then we will go to students to ask for specifics on what they want in a new expansion, so a "gone green" area where equipment powers the building is certainly something we could explore. Additionally, having the new portion of the SRC be green is a top priority of the expansion. Building materials used would be green and construction would focus on how the expansion could use solar and wind power to heat and cool the building.

 
Patron submitted question 10/6/08: "Is there any way that a student can oppose the SRC expansion? It seems rather one-sided that there are only ways to support the expansion."
Response: Logging on to support the SRC expansion is completely voluntary. By not showing support of the SRC expansion you are opposing the expansion. Please remember that this is to help support student life on campus for future students. The overall effects of today's student will be minimal. If you have specific questions or concerns regarding the expansion, please email Tamra Garstka, SRC Director, at Tamra.Garstka@asu.edu. 
 
Patron submitted question 10/6/08: I was wondering if it may be a good idea to have a membership (additional fee) for certain parts of the proposed SRC expansion such as the rockwall or driving range, for certain features that many students may never use and therefore shouldn't have to pay for.
 
Response: Yes, in areas where we see it makes more sense for certain pieces of the expansion (such as the rock climbing wall) to have a user or membership fees we will do that. Our goal is to make increased student fee as small as possible while still delivering amenities student’s today demand.
 
Patron Suggestion 10/6/08: With the new expansion project in mind, if it were to be passed would it be possible to see that platforms and bumper plates are added to make olympic lifts available. Right now the weight room is exceptional but these lifts are perfect full body workouts which would prove most beneficial. I understand that these lifts are also more dangerous but I feel that should not stop those with the experience to be denied the opportunity to get a good quality workout in. Also I believe there are enought people that would use this new equipment effectively, efficiently and safely. Thank you for your time.
 
SRC Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The implementation of bumper plates and platforms would take a considerable amount of alterations to our current facility due to the flooring and high demand for supervision, but could definitely be explored for the expansion. Thank you again for your suggestion and please let us know if you have any other ideas for our new weight room! 
 
Patron question, Oct 7th: I must say that what seems more important than expanding the SRC is to simply have more green space available for use on campus. I remember walking around campuses across the country and always seeing people playing frisbee or soccer or football, but that is currently restricted to the small SRC fields or off-campus because the only other almost reasonable green space is Hayden Lawn which has several problems, particularly including the drop off to Hayden Library and the 'Nipple of Knowledge'. What does ASU plan to do about expanding the amount of fully usable green space? Finally, bring more to the table and to the public than only artist renderings, because everyone knows that an artist rendering is never even close to what actually results.

SRC response: Hi, thanks for your comment! Regarding ASU green space, with such an urban campus it is difficult to find open green space for recreational activities. At the SRC we are faced with this problem on a daily basis in trying to juggle sport club practices and intramural sports that all need field requirements. As part of the expansion, some money would be dedicated to developing field space for recreation activities within a short distance of the Tempe Campus. 
 
Regarding the architect renderings, they were designed to give people a vision of what an expansion could be. If an expansion is developed, it would go to several architects for bid and designs, and would  have lots of student input before anything is actually built. What we are trying to take to the proverbial table, apart from the renderings, is something to show student support. That is why we have created the online support database. Student support for the project will always speak louder than a renderingcould. The renderings are a visual tool to help get that support.


Patron Question 10/10/08: Will the estimated 60 dollar annual fee be charged to students that will graduate before the expansion would be complete? If yes, please explain the reasoning behind this.

SRC Response: Thanks for your question. We plan to implement the fee in a staged-level implementation so students now pay for only what they will have the opportunity to use. On a draft timeline, a $10 fee would be implemented in Fall of 2009 to pay for expansions and enhancements that can be delivered within the year (such as a climbing wall in the current facility, outdoor basketball courts, a possible skate park, field development, etc). In Fall of 2010 an additional $20 fee would be added as construction on the new building actually begins (completed by Fall of 2011). Please note that this timeline and amounts are all subject to change depending on student support and overall approvals.


Patron question 10/11/08: As a member of ASU crew, it would be absolutely wonderful if the expansion project included a room of rowing machines, or even just a designated area. 16-20 rowing machines would be awesome and make the experience at ASU even more awesome.  Thanks for all you do!

SRC Response: Thanks for your suggestion. One of the main goals of the expansion is to provide more room for sport clubs to practice. Once the expansion is approved, we will be going to student groups for input on what the expansion should have. This will be your time to voice your desire for a rowing machine area. In the meantime, please help us get to that point by showing support for the expansion by adding your name to our online support database. Also, please encourage your teammates to do so as well.


Patron comment, 10/13/08: The indoor running track could maybe go downstairs around new courts or in  another area so that an entire second floor could be constructed. A computer  lab can be provided on that floor instead of it just being open space. If  the kinesiology department wants to encorporate labs within the new facility  a computer lab will be a great place for kinesiology and other majors to  meet and prepare/print labs. 

 

SRC Response: Thanks for your comment! The current plans do include a second floor with  the running track on the second floor circling around the new courts below.  A computer lab is a great idea and currently there is an proposal to partner kinesiology for classroom space. Rather than being open space however, the second floor proposed plans include more group fitness and meeting space, a wellness area with sports medicine, chiropractor, physical therapy office, etc and possibly a spa. A computer lab in the SRC seems like it would be a great place for students to work and play. We will take this into  consideration, with student input, as plans progress. Thanks! 

 


Patron Question 10/14/08: With the new expansion will there also be more parking available to students and visitors who wish to use the SRC? Presently, parking across campus and walking to the SRC is not appealing when you don't have a class before or after your workout or on weekends


SRC Response: Great question! On the weekends parking in the Apache Parking Structure (west of the SRC) is free. During the weekdays, however, parking can be troublesome and unfortunately there is nothing we can do at the present time to make that easier. Proposals for the new expansion do not currently include expanded parking. With the metro light rail opening in December 2008, the Flash shuttle and other city busses that run by the SRC, in addition to the bike co-op in the building, we hope that students can make use of other transit options that don't require parking to get to the SRC. 


Patron Question, 10/14/2008: 1- How much the expansion will cost to ASU faculty and staff to become SRC members per semester? 2- Can't ASU seek a progressive health grant to improve the health & wellness of its faculty members and staff so that the SRC membership is free for them?

SRC Response: At present, we don't know how much of an Increase faculty and staff memberships will be. If we increase the student fee we may be obligated to increase the faculty/staff fee. How much is still undetermined. For the student fee we are looking at something around $30 to $35 extra a semester (around $7.50 extra a month). If there is a fac/staff membership fee increase, it will be something around the same amount or less.

Any sort of progressive health grant would need to be initiated out of ASU Human Resources and is something we can to strive for in the future. Thanks for your question! 


Patron submitted question 10/19: How will the SRC expansion be feasible for older students that do not live on campus? It will be cheaper to pay $20 at another fitness center and to get free parking as opposed to approving the increase in funding for the SRC and then receive $25 parking tickets (maybe higher in the future) because the meters will not go for more than 1 hour. Cross Parking never works and in the long run, it will be more expensive. What is being done to help with that issue?

SRC response: Hi, thanks for your question. Regarding parking, on the weekends parking in the Apache Parking Structure (west of the SRC) is free. During the weekdays however, parking can be troublesome and unfortunately there is nothing we can do at the present time to make that easier. With the metro light rail opening in December 2008, the Flash shuttle and other city busses that run by the SRC, in addition to the bike co-op in the building, we hope that students can make use of other transit options that don't require parking to get to the SRC.

Regarding paying to workout at another off-campus fitness center, please keep in mind the SRC offers several programs and services specifically for students (on or off campus) that are difficult to find at other fitness facilities including intramural sports, Sport Clubs, instructional classes, the volume of group fitness and yoga classes, affordable massage, and an Olympic sized swimming pool. With the recent addition of new and updated cardio equipment we hope to be competitive with off-campus gyms in that respect as well.


Patron submitted comment 10/20: You should not have outdoor basketball courts in place of the sand courts for a number of reasons.  With the expansion, there will be about 12-14 total basketball courts on campus at ASU, this is extremely excessive, while there won't be any sand courts.  Secondly, I see people playing one the sand courts almost daily. Finally, this could be one cost that can be removed from the pricetag for the expansion.

SRC response: Hi, thanks for you comment. The suggestion to put outdoor basketball courts where there are currently sand volleyball courts is only a suggestion at this point. If the expansion is approved, THEN we will work with students to figure out if we need outdoor basketball counts and what the exact logistics will be. Thanks!


Patron question 10/20: Will expansion project include steam rooms and sauna facilities for the locker rooms, which are standard for many gyms?

SRC response: Hi thanks for your question! Currently, there are not plans to update the locker rooms with steam rooms and/or sauna facilities. However, this is certainly something that could be considered in the final plans. Everything that has been developed so far is what the SRC expansion could include, if an expansion is moved forward, students will get to decide exact details, include changes to the locker rooms. If this is something you would like to see, please help support the expansion via our online expansion support database.


Patron Question 10/21: While I think all the proposed additions would be nice to have, they don't make sense in the current fiscal climate. The university is facing budget cuts, and students are looking at possible tuition increases. Expanding on a non-essential service at this particular time doesn't make any sense. Many students are struggling just to pay their tuition. While $30 may not seem like a lot of money, for many students it is a burden, and one they won't have a choice about paying.

SRC Response: Thank you for your comment. The current fiscal climate of the university (and the nation, for that matter) is of concern. While it may seem that
expanding the SRC at the current time doesn't make sense, we also have to look towards to the future and "investing" in ASU for future years. As a recruiting tool an expanded SRC (on par with what many other peer-intuitions offer) is something that may tip students to choose ASU over another university which may become important in an economic decline. 

Patron QUestion 11/5/08: I would like to know what are the plans for the pool erea? I think it would be nice to have water slides so students have a place to relax and have fun besides doing some sort of physical activity.  Also, I know that the SRC has a lot of swimming camps during the summer for kids, I think that having this feature it would good for the camps as well it might attrac move kids to the camps and generate more income for ASU, since there isnt a water park close by that has a water slide.

SRC Response: Thanks for your suggestion! The current plans do not include a water slide, but this is something we can certainly look into if the expansion plans are moved forward. At that time, we will go to students to ask for specific amenities they want in the current and expanded facility. We will certainly keep the idea of a water slide in our notes. Thanks!!!

 

 

 

Learn More

Above: A rendering of what three mulit-purpose expanded gyms/courts would looke like with views of the pool to the left and indoor running track above.

Campus Rec Comparisons

Institutions and the Square Footage of their Campus Recreation facilities:

Ohio State - 696,000 sq ft

Texas - 500,000 sq ft

Illinois - 445,000 sq ft

Minnesota - 320,000 sq ft

Maryland - 251,000 sq ft

UCLA - 241,856 sq ft

Colorado - 198,000 sq ft

ASU - 135,000 sq ft

What's wrong with this picture?

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Show Your Support for the Expansion of the SRC!