The Student Senate approved $100,000 from the Student Government Association to be used by Campus Recreation for renovating the separation nets on the second-floor gym of the Heskett Center.
The funding will come out of SGA’s Special Projects Fund, which is for projects that directly affect student life. The fund typically starts each year at $2 million, but was lower this year due to last year’s budget shortfall.
The bill, which was presented by Student Body Treasurer Luke Bumm and passed unanimously by the Student Senate, funds $100,000 of a $212,828 project to replace the nets that divide the courts in the Heskett Center. The nets generally last 15 years, but have been up in Heskett for over 30 years, according to the bill.
Director of Campus Activities & Recreation John Lee and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Operations Scott Jensen showed the senate photos of holes in the nets and rusted framework. According to their presentation, Campus Recreation will pay for $50,000 of the project, with Student Affairs covering $20,000 and Housing and Residence Life $42,828.
Lee told the Senate the nets wouldn’t be replaced until at least May. He said the company that will carry out the project, ATHCO, has to measure and make the nets custom to fit properly in Heskett.
ATHCO, a company specializing in playground and gymnasium equipment based in Lenexa, Kan., will also do one court at a time so the other courts are able to remain open, according to Lee.
