With warmer weather approaching, students will not have the privilege of enjoying the pool in the Kinesiology Building, due to construction. Although the pool itself is not under construction, the areas surrounding the pool, such as the locker rooms and surrounding hallways, are being renovated.

“A lot of the work has been occurring around the building, but now a good portion of the existing Kinesiology Building is being renovated,” said Kenneth Howe, director of facility planning. “Due to that, getting to and from certain areas is not safe.”

The Kinesiology Building has been closed, due to construction, since spring 2010.  The construction company in charge of the renovations, D. Honoré Construction, Inc., is scheduled to be finished by this summer, in time for classes to start in the fall.   

“Right now we are about 35 percent completed with the whole project,” said Todd Hebert supervisor for D. Honoré Construction, Inc.

The purpose of the kinesiology pool is normally used for both student recreation and for a few special classes.  

“We have decided not to teach aquatics courses this semester because we did not have a locker room for students to change into,” said Dr. Edward Hebert, head of the kinesiology department.

Faculty have been temporarily relocated.

“Most of us are now housed in Southeastern Hall right now, and we are teaching classes in classrooms throughout campus,” said Hebert.

The classes that normally take place inside the Kinesiology Building are currently scattered across campus to accommodate their needs while the renovations and new additions are added.  Both kinesiology majors and all other students have had to sacrifice a few recreational amenities while this construction is taking place.   

“My perspective is that we are taking a facility, almost doubling its size with new additions and completely renovating a decade’s old building that has not had any major renovations since its original construction,” said Howe. “The inconvenience of one semester, for what they will get in return for years and years to come, is well worth it.  I believe they will see it is well worth this short sacrifice.”

This entire project, on the Kinesiology Building renovations and additions including the new track, has cost an estimated $13 million.  Although construction started recently, this project has been in the government development process for several years now.

The next construction project at Southeastern will take place in the next academic year.  The upcoming construction will include renovations and additions to the War Memorial Student Union.