Students voice concerns about new rec. facilities at town hall meeting
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RDG Planning & Design, the architect firm selected for the $52.8 million recreation renovation project, held a town hall meeting in the UDCC Wednesday night to give an overview of their progress and gather student input about the future facilities.
Jeff Schaub, project designer for RDG, said the firm is working toward planning with sustainability and functionality while efficiently using funds. He went over features RDG is planning to include in the design, such as a smoothie bar, a study area with wireless Internet, a leisure pool and a jogging track.
“At this point we are at the dream stage, so we want to know what your dreams are, what your preconceptions are about this building,” Schaub said.
Jack Patton, RDG project programmer for the renovations, also gave an overview of features they are planning to include, hoping to get input from the students present.
“Are there any places or things in your mind where we are just not hitting the mark?” Patton asked.
Students responded with concerns ranging from handicap accessibility to aesthetics and space use.
Timothy Anderson, graduate student in food science and human nutrition, said he was concerned about space use and equipment arrangement.
Anderson, who was a pilates instructor at the Mayo Clinic for the last two years, said he was concerned that the facilities at the clinic “seemed to be kind of an elitist type atmosphere instead of a utility [type atmosphere].”
He was hoping that the new rec center at Iowa State would have group fitness spaces and mind-body rooms with appropriate lighting to create a relaxed atmosphere instead of the harsh lighting at the Mayo Clinic. He also said he was hoping for a lot of mirrors in these spaces.
John Meyer, senior in materials engineering, said Ohio State University’s new rec facility had an “open feel” to the space, but still separated the cardio equipment, elliptical and bikes and weights from one another.
Meyer said he was hoping for something similar, because the space would be open, yet people wouldn’t feel “on display” as they were working out, a concern also raised by Anderson.
More planning and designing meetings will be held to keep students informed and involved in the decision making process of the facilities.
Jeff Schaub, project designer for RDG, said the firm is working toward planning with sustainability and functionality while efficiently using funds. He went over features RDG is planning to include in the design, such as a smoothie bar, a study area with wireless Internet, a leisure pool and a jogging track.
“At this point we are at the dream stage, so we want to know what your dreams are, what your preconceptions are about this building,” Schaub said.
Jack Patton, RDG project programmer for the renovations, also gave an overview of features they are planning to include, hoping to get input from the students present.
“Are there any places or things in your mind where we are just not hitting the mark?” Patton asked.
Students responded with concerns ranging from handicap accessibility to aesthetics and space use.
Timothy Anderson, graduate student in food science and human nutrition, said he was concerned about space use and equipment arrangement.
Anderson, who was a pilates instructor at the Mayo Clinic for the last two years, said he was concerned that the facilities at the clinic “seemed to be kind of an elitist type atmosphere instead of a utility [type atmosphere].”
He was hoping that the new rec center at Iowa State would have group fitness spaces and mind-body rooms with appropriate lighting to create a relaxed atmosphere instead of the harsh lighting at the Mayo Clinic. He also said he was hoping for a lot of mirrors in these spaces.
John Meyer, senior in materials engineering, said Ohio State University’s new rec facility had an “open feel” to the space, but still separated the cardio equipment, elliptical and bikes and weights from one another.
Meyer said he was hoping for something similar, because the space would be open, yet people wouldn’t feel “on display” as they were working out, a concern also raised by Anderson.
More planning and designing meetings will be held to keep students informed and involved in the decision making process of the facilities.
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