Construction on the Carmichael Gym extension is complete and officials are now waiting for a final insurance inspection before they open the facility to the public, according to Carmichael Complex Facilities and Operations Director Dawn Sanner.
Sanner said the original plans called for the building to be completed by the beginning of the school year, but workers experienced a range of construction delays, ranging from not receiving needed parts to weather hindrances.
“The delayed opening is due mostly to what you might call traditional construction delays,” Sanner said. “It really doesn’t surprise me — any large construction project is always subject to delays.”
Associate Director of Construction Management Cameron Smith said construction is complete on the building and the facility will open after complex officials finish some interior equipment and furnishing work.
“As far as construction goes, we got our final acceptance on the building last Monday, Oct. 22,” Smith said.
Sanner said this internal work is nearly complete and after the new electronics are installed, the building will be inspected.
“Right now, we are waiting for the final inspection by the Department of Insurance,” Sanner said. “Once they come in and say everything meets their electrical code, then we are ready to rock-and-roll.”
Sanner said all inspections should be complete by the end of next month and at that time the building will gradually be opened up for public use.
“We will have a limited opening on the week of Nov. 26 and than we will completely open to the public on Dec. 3,” Sanner said.
Lunjin Jiang, a senior in agricultural business management, said he was looking forward to using the gym extension at the start of the semester and is disappointed it has taken this long to complete.
“I’m pretty annoyed that the gym isn’t up and running already,” Jiang said. “We pay our tuition and these facitlites should be avaible when they promised us.”
Jiang said he most looking forward to using the new basketball courts often. When he goes to the gym on weeknights, the courts are too packed to allow everyone a chance to play.
“The new basketball courts will be a welcome addition to the gym,” Jiang said. “Hopefully when the new building opens I can actually play, instead of just watching other people.”
Tiffany Wong, a junior in biological sciences, said she is looking forward to using the new dining facilites when they open in the next few months.
“It will be nice to have a coffee shop in that area,” Wong said. “Right now, you have to walk all the way to Hillsborough Street if you want to get some.”
Camden Carver, a senior in sociology, said he wants to give the new massage theropy facilites in the extension a try when it opens to the public and he dosn’t mind the delay if the end product is better.
“Anything that gets students out of the dorms and apartment and into a scene where they’re getting some physical activity is well worth the wait,” Carver said.