2008 Woodie Awards
Lawson Center opens spring semester for athletes
Matt Kreitzer
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News
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The facility has gone through a lot of hurdles since the start of construction. It has switched locations multiple times after some concern by the donors because the original sites weren't on campus.
Spraker said that the facility will be finished at the end of this year.
"The constructor has been doing a great job, and we are trying to get it done as soon as possible so the basketball team will be able to use it for as much of the season as they can," Spraker said.
Teams are expected to be able to use the center when they come back for the spring semester in January, Spraker said.
The building itself was not funded by the students or by the state, but by a number of different independent sources, Spraker said.
The wellness and conditioning center is a donor funded building project with a budget of $3.26 million, she said.
The center was built with the intention of allowing student athletes to train, Spraker said.
There are two separate parts of the building which will house specific facilities for training and practice, Spraker said. The Brenda Lawson Center will house The Chattem Basketball Practice Facility and the Wolford Family Strength and Conditioning Center.
"The McKenzie Arena is often used by other events like Disney On Ice," Spraker said.
During this time when the arena is being used for other purposes, the basketball court will be unavailable for ten days right before the start of the season and the basketball team will be unable to practice, Spraker said. The Chattem Basketball Practice Facility will allow the basketball team to practice for upcoming games. This new facility will grant constant access for sports teams who have had to deal with these types of events in the past.
The Wolford Family Strength and Conditioning Center will allow any other athletes the ability to train, Spraker said.
