2008 Woodie Awards
University looks to increase intramural green space
Angela Valente
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
By Angela Valente
Staff Reporter
Several development projects are being considered at UTC in order to provide more green space on campus.
The primary purpose for these projects is to increase the amount of space available for intramural sports. Engle Stadium and Collins Street have both been looked at as possible sites.
"We have been trying to determine an appropriate green space area, other than Chamberlain Field," Richard Brown, vice chancellor of finance and operations, said.
He said that the challenge of an urban university is finding green space in the heart of a downtown area. Brown estimated that resident population growth on campus has almost doubled within the last eight years, and while the student body has grown, the square footage has not, causing UTC to experience growing pains.
Brown went on to explain that with the groundbreaking in January for the new student wellness center, which will be located on Fourth and Maple streets, the university will lose green space that has in the past been used for marching band practice and intramural sports.
Students are frequently being bussed to locations off campus for intramural or recreational activities. This arrangement poses challenges to both students and staff in the form of transportation costs and wasted time.
Brittany Elrod, a Chattanooga senior, said she likes the new green space projects.
"I think it's great," she said. "I'm a health and human performance major … and we use the fields for classes and for sorority intramurals."
June Betty Kusek, a Cleveland, Tenn., freshman, said, "I think [green space] makes the campus beautiful and makes people want to come."
Brown said that because the university is not doing student housing on Collins Street, there is a great opportunity to develop additional green space next to Challenger Center field.
"There have been some issues raised about safety in that area, because it's adjacent to Third Street and [there's] the possibility of students kicking balls into the street, but we think that can be remedied by putting up a fence [or] possibly a net," Brown said.
He further explained that student funds purchased approximately 3.5 acres several years ago for the purpose of developing soccer fields at the Engle Stadium site.
"The challenge with Engle is a bigger planning piece. That whole area is almost 30 acres of land, which is scheduled to be used for an NCAA Division 1 track and field facility, as well as intramural space," he said. Brown added that UTC will invite an architectural firm to help with the planning.
Both projects will address not only the convenience factor for intramurals but will also increase the university's appeal, Brown said.
Staff Reporter
Several development projects are being considered at UTC in order to provide more green space on campus.
The primary purpose for these projects is to increase the amount of space available for intramural sports. Engle Stadium and Collins Street have both been looked at as possible sites.
"We have been trying to determine an appropriate green space area, other than Chamberlain Field," Richard Brown, vice chancellor of finance and operations, said.
He said that the challenge of an urban university is finding green space in the heart of a downtown area. Brown estimated that resident population growth on campus has almost doubled within the last eight years, and while the student body has grown, the square footage has not, causing UTC to experience growing pains.
Brown went on to explain that with the groundbreaking in January for the new student wellness center, which will be located on Fourth and Maple streets, the university will lose green space that has in the past been used for marching band practice and intramural sports.
Students are frequently being bussed to locations off campus for intramural or recreational activities. This arrangement poses challenges to both students and staff in the form of transportation costs and wasted time.
Brittany Elrod, a Chattanooga senior, said she likes the new green space projects.
"I think it's great," she said. "I'm a health and human performance major … and we use the fields for classes and for sorority intramurals."
June Betty Kusek, a Cleveland, Tenn., freshman, said, "I think [green space] makes the campus beautiful and makes people want to come."
Brown said that because the university is not doing student housing on Collins Street, there is a great opportunity to develop additional green space next to Challenger Center field.
"There have been some issues raised about safety in that area, because it's adjacent to Third Street and [there's] the possibility of students kicking balls into the street, but we think that can be remedied by putting up a fence [or] possibly a net," Brown said.
He further explained that student funds purchased approximately 3.5 acres several years ago for the purpose of developing soccer fields at the Engle Stadium site.
"The challenge with Engle is a bigger planning piece. That whole area is almost 30 acres of land, which is scheduled to be used for an NCAA Division 1 track and field facility, as well as intramural space," he said. Brown added that UTC will invite an architectural firm to help with the planning.
Both projects will address not only the convenience factor for intramurals but will also increase the university's appeal, Brown said.
