A construction fence surrounds the Hogan Center, the former physical education building at Alma College. Bulldozers and backhoes are parked nearby. Workers in hardhats are scurrying around.
The $10.2 million Hogan renovation and building project is under way.
The building project includes the construction of a 29,000-square-foot arena and convocation center along with renovated locker rooms, athletic training space, natatorium, coaches offices and classrooms in the existing Hogan facility.
It will provide a new home court for the men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams as well as a primary venue for commencement, convocations, major speakers, concerts and other campus events.
While construction is beginning this spring, fund raising continues earnestly, says Carol Hyble, vice president for advancement at Alma College. The project is funded by a combination of gifts and the sale of tax-exempt bonds.
“While we are excited about this new building project, we continue to be focused on raising $5.5 million to help fund this facility,” says Hyble. “In a feasibility study the College conducted in 2007, potential donors expressed their support for this project. To date, we have raised $2.2 million. We are counting on the assistance of our alumni, former student-athletes, friends and community to reach our goal.”
The Hogan project is just one piece of an overall $18.75 campus improvement and building plan at Alma College. The plan also includes:
-
academic space improvements totaling $4.5 million, which will include improvements to priority sapces in the Swanson Academic Center, Dow Science Center, Kapp Science Center and Eddy Music Building;
-
student life improvements totaling $1.6 million, which will support accessibility enhancements and upgrades to residence halls and other projects.
“These improvements will support and enhance the student experience at Alma,” says Alma College President Saundra Tracy. “Each component of our facilities plan is important in providing learning and co-curricular environments that will ensure the success of our students.”
The new addition to the Hogan facility is designed to be Alma College’s first LEED-certified building, the nationally recognized mark of sustainable construction. The renovations also will enhance the sustainability of the overall facility, says Tracy.
“This is one of several ways Alma College is carrying out its mission to be ‘stewards of a world we bequeath to future generations,’” says Tracy.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED certification verifies that a building project is environmentally responsible and healthy place to live and work.
Sustainable components of the new facility will include use of recycled content in ceiling panels, carpet, rubber and vinyl floor tiles, bleacher construction and sub-floor system in the new arena; light pollution reduction; water efficient landscaping; maximized energy performance; water use reduction measures; and energy star compliant roof system.
“The Hogan Center is one of the Alma facilities that is extensively used by the local community,” says Tracy. ” These include the local swim teams, senior citizens aquatic rehabilitation groups, racquetball enthusiasts and the many individuals who attend athletic and major College events in the facility.”
The new arena will seat 2,430, with additional floor seating of 600 for non-athletics events. The new facility will be handicap accessible, with a ground-level entrance, new elevator, and 6,600 square-foot lobby with new concession stand and restroom facilities. The basketball court will feature a four-sided, ceiling-hung scoreboard over center court, floor-mounted basketball goal supports, and theatre-style seating on the “home” side of the court.
“For our student-athletes, the new facility will be an amazing leap forward,” says Athletic Director John Leister. “Many of our sister schools in the MIAA have built new facilities. Now our students, who are proud to represent Alma on the court and who work hard, will have a type of facility they deserve.
“For the College as a whole, we’re building a facility that will house many other events beyond athletics for the campus and community,” says Leister. “Its exciting for everyone.”
Interior work began March 16 for renovations to the ground-level locker rooms used by the football team, enhanced space for the athletic training program, and retrofitting existing space for new laundry and equipment rooms for the athletics department.
On April 20, coaches and staff vacated the Hogan Center for temporary office space in the Stone Recreation Center as a construction fence will be installed around the worksite. From May through August, crews will renovate the second floor classrooms and coaches offices with new ceiling, carpeting, furniture and air conditioning.
Work continues in 2010 with renovations to the pool, locker rooms and second-floor lobby along with the conversion of Cappaert Gymnasium to a practice gymnasium.
The construction will result in the loss of 56 existing parking spaces, including the angled visitor’s parking in front of Hogan, spots from the north end of the Heritage Center lot, and spots along Grant Street. To compensate, the College will replace these 56 spaces along Grant Street north of the construction site and on the east side of the railroad tracks near the College’s Physical Plant. Also, an additional 15 spots for student parking will be added to Lot 15 south of Superior Street.
