Sports

MBU Moving Closer to a New Sports Facility

November 29, 2007

By Jacob Wilkins

MBU’s capital giving campaign to fund the planned new sports and recreation complex is moving into its third year. MBU announced plans for the new facility in 2005, and launched the funding campaign shortly afterwards.

The two-level, 30,000 square-foot facility, which is expected to accommodate MBU’s rapidly expanding athletic program, will be a welcome improvement to the Muncy Athletic Facility. The new facility’s training area in particular will be significantly larger than the current one, according to Keith Ross, MBU vice-president for institutional advancement.

The new building, which will be built next to the current gymnasium, will also allow for an expansion of MBU’s intramural program. Intramural events are currently difficult to schedule because of the limited space and the size of MBU’s athletic program.

In the long run, the facility will also enable MBU to reach out to the community by hosting various camps, but the focus is still on adapting to a growing athletic program and providing opportunities to students not involved in athletics. “Our first concern is meeting the needs of our students,” Ross said.

Carl and Deloris Petty, MBU trustees, gave the program a significant boost with a $1 million donation shortly after the campaign began. $2 million is still needed before any construction can begin, so a definite timeline is unavailable. While any dates are obviously tentative, Ross said, “We would like to see something started in 2009.”

#   #   #