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HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — Officials at William Carey University have decided to build an expansion to its current gymnasium after efforts to build a brand-new one were derailed.
University officials said the school opted to construct the expansion after there was concern with the area of wetlands at the proposed site, where wetlands government agencies are seeking to preserve, The Hattiesburg American (http://hatne.ws/1MMGhK8) reported.
"Had we not had the issue with wetlands where we were going to put the new gym, the plans were to have it ready for this year," William Carey athletic director Steve Knight said.
William Carey president Tommy King said the new expansion will contain all of the amenities of the new gym except for a new playing floor for sports teams and larger seating capacity. The amenities will include new locker rooms, coaches' offices, a training room and showers and changing rooms.
Knight said the current gymnasium, which was built in the 1960s, wasn't designed to house all the sports the school's growing athletic program now supports.
"As we've grown from five sports to now 16 sports, you've got office spaces, training room facilities and weight room areas that have to be added," Knight said. "So with the addition to the gym we'll be able to do that. It'll be a big plus for us."
Knight also said the expansion will also give the school an opportunity to host tournaments they haven't done before.
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Information from: The Hattiesburg American, http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com
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