A major capital project to fix the roof of the
Woodruff P.E. Center is under way, and construction around the
building will continue through November.
When the $8.25 million project is finished, the facility will be
topped with a red-roofed, 80,000-square-foot structure that will
house four indoor tennis courts, two multipurpose courts and office
space.
Since the P.E. Center currently has seven tennis courts on its roof, three will
be lost following the construction, but the net gain is positive for a building
that has had its share of problems since it opened in 1983.
“It had a flat roof and drains would get clogged,” said Project Manager
Art Platt. “And the skylights weren’t sealed properly, so they leaked.”
A feasibility study to fix the problems was first conducted eight years ago.
After consultation with the architectural firm Rosser International, it was decided
that the best way to keep water out was to place a new building on top of the
old one.
Emory has many tennis courts scattered on the main and Clairmont campuses, but
none are indoors. The new building will offer that. The multipurpose courts could
be set up for basketball, volleyball, indoor hockey and even dance or exercise
classes.
Because of the work, building access is limited—the double doors on the
Dobbs Center side of the building are closed, but should reopen sometime next
week—but once inside, moving around isn’t a problem (save dodging
an occasional scaffold or receptacle that has been strategically placed to
catch water leaking from the ceiling).
“We’re doing very little to the inside of the building other than
replacing the skylights,” Platt said. Since the new roof will be covered,
skylights are not necessary, so workers currently are laying down the foundation
of the new floor up above.
Once the construction is complete, a new red, metal roof will cover the P.E.
Center. Platt said it has been designed with the Campus Master Plan in mind,
and the roof will match similar roofs on Dobbs and Tarbutton halls. Unlike
the current flat roof, the new one will be angled to allow for better drainage.
An artist’s rendition of the final product is on display just inside
the doors facing the Peavine Parking Deck.
The effect of the P.E. Center’s construction on Emory’s sports teams
is minimal, but not insignificant. The men’s and women’s outdoor
track teams cannot host any meets in 2004, although they still will practice
on the track. Therefore, the March 26–27 Emory Classic will be held at
Georgia Tech.
The defending Div. III national champion men’s and women’s tennis
teams will be able to play home matches, but the women’s team, which
was slated to host the national championship, had to give up the tournament.
The basketball teams, now in the middle of their seasons, and the swimming
and diving teams’ home games and meets will not be affected. Full access to
the P.E. Center’s workout equipment is still allowed, and classes will
not be affected. |