Don’t break out those basketballs just yet, ISU.

As the Fall ’99 semester gets underway, the Lied Recreation Athletic Center is in the process of a major renovation.

Larry Cooney, director of Recreation Services, said it was time the center received a facelift after nearly 10 years of wear and tear.

“The multipurpose floor system was installed in 1990 when the center opened,” Cooney said, “and it’s simply worn out.”

In early August, project architect Scott Sankey and his crew began the process of resurfacing the lower level track and basketball area, a renovation that should take them until early September.

“The original surface was a polyurethane, and it served us well for 10 years, but certain areas are being worn out,” Cooney said. “We found it necessary to put in a new surface.”

The new surface that was rolled out over the last two weeks is a volcanized rubber alternative to the polyurethane, which rec patrons are accustomed to seeing.

Cooney assured students that the rubber is an excellent sports surface used worldwide.

“It’s made to adjust for proper shock absorption,” Cooney said. “In simple terms, it’s designed both for running track and for playing basketball. It’s an ideal surface to accomodate the many activities we’ll be using it for.”

The lower level of the rec will still feature the center section of turf for volleyball, soccer and other activities.

Cooney points out, though, that the turf is also beginning to wear thin and will need to be replaced in the near future.

Because the resurfacing didn’t begin until early August, the basketball courts, lower track and center turf are not available at this time and will not be until completion of the project in September.

The racquetball courts and upper-level exercise area are still open to ISU students.

The late renovation start date was due to a full summer slate at the rec. “There were certain events scheduled over the summer,” Cooney said, “so we had to wait on this until August.”

Cooney and Recreation Services anticipate a re-open date of September 1.