Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- The fate of a $20 million renovation of Weber State University's student union building lies with those that most use it, the students.
A steering committee of students, faculty and administration approved a final draft of the proposal this week. Students will vote whether to go forward with the renovation during the university's election this spring.
"Students are the voice of the project," said Weber State student union director Bill Fruth.
Renovating the union would mean a gradual increase in student fees. At its highest, students would be paying $35 more per semester than the current $251. The higher fees would remain in effect for 25 years.
The student union currently is split into two adjacent buildings, the east building, constructed in 1961 and the west building, built in 1969.
The renovation would enclose a bridge-covered corridor between the two, turning it into an atrium and student lounge. Renovation and upgrades will include the bookstore, kitchen, student lounge, student offices, food court, theater, bowling, billiards, arcades, meeting rooms, ballroom and computer lab.
There also will be new administration offices and meeting rooms. The current Skyroom restaurant will be eliminated.
If approved, the project could be completed in spring 2008.
Regardless of the renovation proposal, at least $8 million needs to be spent on the building's infrastructure to resolve safety issues, said Weber State Vice President of Administrative Services Norm Tarbox.
"The bottom line is we have a building over here that has serious technical problems that need to be addressed," he said.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
