Wellness and Equestrian Centers

[HoboD]

Both the Wellness and Equestrian centers easily passed the House Appropriations committee this morning. In particular the Student Association leadership did a GREAT job of their presentation relative to the Wellness center. Congratulations! On to the house floor.

[el_presidente]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

The wellness center should be up on the house floor Monday afternoon. Thanks for the compliments, things went very well. If anyone is interested in listening to the legislative testimony you can listen to it online here:

http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2006/index.aspx

Then type in 1011 under bills and select "get bill"

Then on the right side click on the bird looking icon to here the audio in real player.

[Texas_Jacks_Fan]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

Great Job Brunner!!

[Alumguy]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

Yesterday, the South Dakota House of Representatives passed the measure for a Wellness Center on a vote of 66-2. That's right ... 66-2. Now it goes to the Senate.

Before the vote was taken, both Ryan Brunner (S.A. President) and Mitch Fargen (Government Affairs guru) were recognized from the floor and were met with a hearty round of applause from the legislators.

This is remarkable. Most times, student leaders serve out their terms and pass into history as footnotes in time. I watched something special yesterday. I've never seen a significant measure proposed by students ever get "legs." Yet, the students of this university have been able to convince both Regents and the SD Legislature that a wellness center is needed on our campus.

And remember, all of this has happened in four months. It makes me giddy.

That building will not only serve our students and community, but will be a major attraction in recruiting new students to our campus.

This whole thing is incredible.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

Sweet!!!! Nice job guys.

Don't know el president, but Fargen is a super guy--even if his grandpa did shoot hoops down south. Everyone putting this together aren't the leaders of tomorrow, they are leading right now. Great work, keep it up.

[SDSUFAN]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

Yesterday, the South Dakota House of Representatives passed the measure for a Wellness Center on a vote of 66-2.  That's right ... 66-2.  Now it goes to the Senate.

Before the vote was taken, both Ryan Brunner (S.A. President) and Mitch Fargen (Government Affairs guru) were recognized from the floor and were met with a hearty round of applause from the legislators.

This is remarkable.  Most times, student leaders serve out their terms and pass into history as footnotes in time.  I watched something special yesterday.  I've never seen a significant measure proposed by students ever get "legs."  Yet, the students of this university have been able to convince both Regents and the SD Legislature that a wellness center is needed on our campus.  

And remember, all of this has happened in four months.  It makes me giddy.

That building will not only serve our students and community, but will be a major attraction in recruiting new students to our campus.

This whole thing is incredible.

Congrads to the student leadership. I suppose one could argue, the legislature want to be on the record for accompolishments so they passed the easy items early. None-the-less, the student leaders are leading now. The wellness project has been around for 13 years.

If any student needs a topic for a public adminstration course term paper, the wellness center and how the students got it completed would make a great topic.
Also they should take time to interview various Foundation Board members for the past 13 years to find out the details on why this project was stalled died and revived only to stall again. I bet its a real interesting story.

[SD-STATE]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

They should stand and aplaud. They don't have to pay anything. Great job by Brunner and Fargen. So as I understand it, construction starts in June?

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

This will be a huge recruiting tool for students and student athletes. I commend the students for getting this done. The legislature should take a hard look at the disrepair many of the older buildings at state are in and realize they are really coming up short in doing their part in maintaining the university.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

More info on the scope of Rec Center as outlined in the Collegian:

Regent voters say yes to new rec center at SDSU
One-third of voting done before construction can begin
By: Brian Kimmes
Issue date: 1/24/06 Section: Front Page News
Article Tools: Page 1 of 1

The proposed wellness center expansion has passed the first of its three hurdles of approval.

On Dec. 15, Students' Association President Ryan Brunner presented the Board of Regents' wellness center expansion plan, along with the nearly 2,800 student signatures the Student Association collected in support of the plan. The BOR approved the facility plan for the wellness center. The plan now awaits legislative approval.

Getting legislative approval is hurdle number two. The wellness center plan is presently working its way through the House of Representatives. The plan is House Bill 1011, which has passed the House Appropriations Committee, 9-0. The bill was scheduled to be debated and voted on by the full house on Tuesday.

If the bill passes the House, it will then need approval by the Senate. The bill will need to go through a Senate Appropriations Committee and then voted on by the full Senate. The Senate will most likely look at the bill in the upcoming weeks.

Finally, Gov. Mike Rounds will need to sign the bill.

After the bill has made its way through the Legislature, the Students' Association must go back to the Board of Regents to get final approval for the plan, which will appropriate the necessary money to build the expanded wellness center. Final approval by the Board of Regents is the third and final hurdle.

President Brunner feels the plan is making good progress.

"Plans are on track. If things continue as planned, construction will begin this summer."

President Brunner and other senators are working to make sure the plan gets approved on schedule and that construction can begin this summer. Brunner said, "At the beginning of the legislative session, six of us [members of the SA Senate] went out to Pierre to talk to the Legislature about their concerns."

Brunner said they have been lobbying legislators and promoting their cause to interest groups.

If everything goes according to plan, the wellness center program plan will be approved at the Board of Regents March meeting and it will be official that the expanded wellness center and student fee increase will take place.

* Issue is slated to come before the House of Representitives on Tuesday, Jan. 24.


Rec center details

• Walking track to replace the current track around Frost Arena.

• Cardiovascular workout area equipped with treadmills, rowing machines and other exercise equipment.

• Weight room equipped with free weights and strength-training equipment.

• Multipurpose recreation courts for basketball, volleyball and other sports.

• Climbing wall for recreational climbing.

• Lockers and showers for men and women.

• Offices for administration, trainers, employees and reception workers.

• Support spaces that include custodial areas, restrooms, an elevator and storage space.

• Racquetball/handball courts would be optional.

• Student health and counseling areas with nurse and doctor offices pharmacy, infirmary, lab, examination rooms and nurses station.

• Varsity women's locker rooms and showers for swimming, basketball and volleyball teams.

[NorCalJack]

Re: Wellness and Equestrian Centers

Has anyone seen an artist rendition of the proposed Wellness or Equestrian Centers. If so, can someone post a picture. Also where are they proposing to build them on campus.

Thanks

Go State!!! ;D ;D ;D