As Kent State University at Salem students start a new semester, construction crews ramp up the work they are doing to the campus’ 16,000-square foot gymnasium, which is being converted in to a state-of-the-art medical learning facility. The multi-million dollar project will convert the campus’ under-utilized gymnasium into a learning space. The new facility will accommodate the campus’ nursing and radiology programs, faculty offices and a new bookstore.  A floor will be added within the gym volume to allow an additional 9,000 square feet of future lab and classroom space.

The new space, complete with an 80-person auditorium is scheduled to be operational for the fall 2011 semester.

“We are very excited to see watch the gym’s transformation,” said Dean Jeff Nolte. “The underutilized space was a great area to tap. Not only will the new area greatly support our top notch health programs such as nursing and radiology, it will also provide an area for future biology and chemistry labs.”

The work officially began just as students were taking finals last semester. After a security fence was erected, construction trailers installed and needed equipment and supplies delivered, a soundproof partition wall was built to help reduce noise created by the transformation.

Recently, the gym’s floor, interior ceiling, concrete floors and walls were removed and the electric was relocated. The hot water tank, boiler, showers and sinks were also taken out.

Now, the construction crew is staring to prepare the gym floor to lay an interior foundation and cement slab. Plumbing will be laid underneath.

“We’re right on schedule,” said Terry Zocolo, the campus’ construction manager. “Because we’re demolishing the building’s interior, it’s hard to foresee problems. Fortunately, we haven’t had any major setbacks.”

The first phase of the construction is set to be completed in August. The new bookstore and faculty offices, which will be completed during the second construction phase, is scheduled to start in November.

“This is a major renovation for the campus,” Zocolo said. “When completed, more than 25,000 sq. feet will be added to the Salem campus’ main building. This is the equivalent of adding a third of our current space.”

Pictures of the construction are listed on the campuses’ Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2064165&id=1544905013&l=4bdeffc641