This text is a part of a recurring sequence that may present updates on the standing of properties of curiosity within the Erie space. Have a suggestion? E mail jmartin@timesnews.com
Like a whole lot of people at Penn State Behrend, Ken Miller counted himself as a fan of the outdated Erie Corridor.
The gymnasium, in-built 1952 was the primary new construction constructed after Mary Behrend donated her property to the Pennsylvania State College.
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Within the years since, it has been house to loads of huge occasions within the lifetime of the campus, numerous thrilling video games and a few memorable speeches. together with one by former President Invoice Clinton in 2016.
The constructing held numerous recollections, however not sufficient individuals.
As enrollment grew, so did the necessity for athletic services.
“In the event you have been a mean Joe, you had a tough time getting in for a exercise,” stated Miller, a longtime member of the workers who serves as senior director for administration and scholar affairs.
An evolving plan
Initially, Penn State management settled on a plan to improve and increase the present Erie Corridor in 2020. Ultimately, although, College officers determined there was a necessity for one thing larger, Miller stated.
And college students acquired behind the thought.
Given choices, they recognized a brand new health and recreation facility as their high precedence for his or her student-initiated charge that provides college students a voice in how the cash is spent.
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That charge is anticipated to cowl about $11 million in building prices, or about 40% of the overall.
Nonetheless, there’s loads of nostalgia for the outdated constructing.
“The courts ran all the way in which to the bleachers,” Miller stated. “It was loud. It was intimate. It was cool, but it surely was time.”
It has been a very long time since Erie Corridor has been Behrend’s main gymnasium.
The 72,000-square-foot Junker Heart assumed that function when it opened in 2001.
The new Erie Hall, which is almost 3 times as giant because the outdated one and has area for 3 basketball courts as a substitute of 1, will function a complement to the bigger Junker Heart, Miller stated.
Along with workplaces for coaches, locker rooms and athletic coaching services, and a separate health club for wrestling, the brand new constructing will present a vastly expanded area for private exercises, together with studio area for yoga, Pilates, spinning and different lessons, Miller stated.
Brehend’s private counseling workplace can even take up residence within the new constructing. Miller sees it as a chance to construct on the hyperlink between bodily and psychological well being.
“We predict there’s a actual sturdy connection,” Miller stated.
The brand new constructing, which is anticipated to be accomplished later this 12 months, is positioned in a extremely seen spot on the expanded footprint of the outdated Erie Corridor
The constructing will function large home windows and sweeping views of the tennis courts and athletic fields to the north.
Whereas the Junker Heart is positioned on the excessive jap finish of campus, the brand new Erie Corridor is extra centrally positioned, throughout the parking zone from the faculty’s admissions constructing.
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By way of recruiting new college students, “I feel this actually ups the sport,” Miller stated.
With a partial stone facade, it is also in line with different structure on campus.
“It is stone facade will remind you of the Metzgar (admissions) Heart, and remind you of the Glenhill Farmhouse,” the previous residence of Ernst and Mary Behrend that serves now as administration workplaces, Miller stated.
“You’ll pull up the driveway and you’ll say ‘Wow.'”
A glance inside
Shawn Turner, mission supervisor for the Pittsburgh-based building agency P.J. Dick, led Miller and different guests by means of the unfinished area on Aug. 23.
There’s nonetheless loads of work to be accomplished, however Turner stated the mission, which has employed tons of of individuals alongside the way in which, is shifting forward on schedule.
“All the pieces is on monitor,” he stated.
Miller stated he expects the work to be full in December and that the constructing ought to be furnished and prepared for second-semester lessons on Jan. 9, 2023.
For now, it isn’t onerous to ascertain the brand new Erie Corridor. Metallic studs mark the placement of partitions which can be but to be accomplished. There’s area for workplaces, area for the wrestling program and an eye catching vantage level from the second flooring that may look out over the basketball courts beneath.
The area was lit on a current go to by pure gentle from a pair of towering window openings on the north facet of the constructing. Openings had made for all of the home windows, however as of Aug. 23 none of them had been put in.
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Turner and his crew have numerous particulars to complete, together with the set up of a Nittany Lion mosaic.
The constructing does not look very similar to the outdated Erie Corridor, however that identify will stay, not less than for now.
“I feel college students are actually going to love it,” Miller stated.
Jim Martin may be reached at jmartin@timesnews.com.
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