Renee Rosenow

Fresh paint and new lighting and ceilings are just a few of many improvements in McPhee Physical Education Center as the transformation of the building continues.

The project, which began in February 2008, has already made significant changes to the building and is focused on infrastructure, said Troy Terhark, sports facilities operations manager.

“For the most part, it’s a mechanical update,” Terhark said.

Some of the new and improved features are already being used by students on campus. The UW-Eau Claire Dance Team is ready to use their new studio, which was just recently completed.

Senior Laura Sukowatey, one of the team’s captains, was glad the construction would not leave the team without a place to practice. Luckily, they had not yet begun to do so when the studio was being finished.

“We were really nervous about it,” she said. “We were relieved to see it was done.”

Sukowatey said the only thing missing is the sound system.

“It will be nice when it’s up and running,” she said.

A new ceiling as well as new flooring and lighting were installed in the general hallway, Terhark said. The pool has been repainted, and a new sound system is being added to the pool room as well. All the classrooms have been repainted and new lighting, carpet and air handling have been installed. Other improvements include an expanded weight room and a “future multipurpose cardio room that is yet to be developed,” Terhark said.

The construction has had a minimal effect on classes being held in the building. Terhark said classes have not been moved. Dance studios as well as classrooms 106, 108, and 110 were all functional and ready for classes.

“We started the project when we could,” he said. “We did that to eliminate any disruption to classes this semester.”

Work on the McPhee 210 Gymnasium is also still in progress, and has also had a minimal effect on its users, including athletes. Terhark said the volleyball team had to practice elsewhere “for the first couple days while we were waiting on cure time for the new wood floor.” The team has since returned to practicing in the gym.

Otherwise, the construction in the gymnasium can continue without interruption.

“We don’t have heavy usage in the gymnasiums right now because everybody is still outside,” Terhark said.

Terhark also added that a company would be coming in to complete the rock wall in the next two to three weeks, and that movable partitions would begin to be installed in the gymnasiums starting on Sept. 19.

“The gymnasium should be fully accessible as soon as the partitions and sound system get in,” he said.

Sukowatey is eager to use the new dance studio, as wood flooring has also been installed in that room. She said the new flooring in the studio “makes the room seem a lot bigger.”

“I didn’t mind the old studio,” she said, “but this one looks nicer.”

Aside from a little noise and messiness from the project still present in the building, Sukowatey said she doesn’t think the ongoing construction will affect the dance team in any other way.

“We usually practice late at night, so I don’t think the construction will bother us at all.”

The McPhee project is scheduled to be completed by the end of December or first of January, said Terhark.

Terhark could not hide his enthusiasm to continue the renovation project.

“All the people associated with the project are extremely excited about the opportunities it will give the students,” he said. “We couldn’t be more eager to get things rolling and have this project finished up.”