Progress on the proposed recreation renovations is currently at a standstill.

After running its course through the student body, the Government of the Student Body, the Special Student Fee and Commission Committee, and ISU President Gregory Geoffroy, the proposal will go before the Iowa Board of Regents.

The renovation proposal is not included on the board’s agenda for the next meeting, which is scheduled for April 30 and May 1 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

“There is no formal decision as of yet,” said Michael Harvey, director of Recreation Services. “The regents have not responded to our request for inclusion of the building and planning proposal for their April meeting.”

Harvey and other individuals involved with the planning committee wait in the hope that the regents will agree to discuss the renovation plans.

“Renovating Lied is something that will help make this university attractive for students,” Harvey said. “When State Gym was built in 1913, we didn’t understand how to design a proper recreation facility.

“In the late ’80s and early ’90s, when Lied was opened, air-conditioning, for example, wasn’t considered important. Our mindset and standards have changed now, so we need to implement those changes to the Lied Center.”

One important issue Recreation Services and ISU administrators have stressed is the importance of student involvement in the planning and design process of renovating the university facilities.

“This facility is about the students, for the students – and educating and involving them in the process is important,” Harvey said. “They will be able to help hire an architect, design team and learn about national standards for this type of project and submit comments and ideas.”

Students interested in being involved with the renovation project can submit their names to Harvey or GSB President Brian Phillips.

“There is an open call right now for any student interested in participating in the project’s further development, provided it is approved by the Board of Regents this month,” Phillips said. “If the regents approve the proposal, the group of students would work with the Recreation Services department and other university offices to re-evaluate all past studies on the proposal, identify any new areas where information may need to be gathered, and interview and hire an architect.

Harvey said several students have already come forward with interest in being involvedin the project.

“We are sitting in limbo right now, waiting for the docket to come out with the regents’ decision to discuss the renovation project,” Harvey said.

There are a number of students and organizations which have voiced opposition to the renovations. The Graduate and Professional Student Senate was split on the issues. Joseph Fuller, GPSS director of university relations and legislative affairs and graduate student in mechanical engineering, said some senators thought the proposal included superfluous expenses.

“The graduate students were really divided over the issue of renovation,” Fuller said. “Opposing members felt that adding things like a spa and hot tub are unnecessary uses of their money and don’t justify the cost of the project.”

The renovations would also include a skywalk between State Gym and Beyer Hall, which some GPSS members think would be unnecessarily costly.

“Students support making some changes to the Rec Center, but not to the magnitude that is planned and discussed,” Fuller said.

The uncertainty trickles down to undergraduate students as well. James Magill, freshman in industrial engineering, has mixed emotions regarding the renovations project.

“Right now, I’m all for it because it goes along with making campus beautiful and attracting students to ISU,” Magill said. “However, I am wary of the cost if the building and planning part really goes over the top.”