Nov. 18, 2010
Neighborhood session on new sports complex, ag pavilion planned
by Diana Pounds
ISU officials working on plans for a new outdoor sports complex and an agriculture pavilion near Wallace-Wilson residence halls (the Towers) are inviting neighbors in the area to a Dec. 8 meeting on the projects. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Knapp Storms Dining Complex.
Vice president Warren Madden, athletics director Jamie Pollard and animal science department chair Maynard Hogberg are among officials who will be on hand to discuss the plans, answer questions and seek input from neighbors. Representatives from RDG Planning and Design also will attend the meeting.
ISU recently received permission from the state Board of regents to hire RDG to develop plans for the $10.7 million sports complex that will be located in the green space east of the Towers. The complex will include practice and competition facilities for Cyclone soccer, track and softball. Construction is scheduled to begin in June.
A new pavilion for Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences received a jump-start last fall when Ames couple Marvin and Janice Walter pledged $1.5 million to the project. About $3.2 million in commitments have been raised for the $7 million facility, which will include an arena, classrooms and animal holding areas. The pavilion will provide a setting where students in animal agriculture will interact with animals through courses, agricultural judging and skills competition.
The proposed location of the pavilion is the southwest corner of Mortenson Road and Gateway Hills Drive, on land currently used by the department of animal science's equine program. The design process for the facility will begin after fund raising has been completed.
