Leatherneck Nation

We just went live with a page for the Master Plan Implementation Team (through Facilities Management).
The page is here: http://www.wiu.edu/vpas/fm/master_plan_team.php

But if you're interested in this kind of stuff, you should check out the presentation documents.
Here's the most recent one: http://www.wiu.edu/vpas/fm/_documents/m ... 3-2014.pdf

Has a nice photo of the pillars near the new Corbin/Olson parking lot at night, with the lit up "W".
Also, includes some artists drawings of what the new science building/Currens Hall renovation will look like (there's more info about that...square footage, costs, etc....on the earlier document, around page 30), as well as a bit more information about the closing of the current Q-lot entrance and stuff that I mentioned the other day. The way they're moving on this, I'd expect to see at least the first part of it (closing the current entrance, a bit of work and landscaping around it, opening the other entrance to the east a bit, and opening the parking rows where the new entrance is located) done sometime next year...maybe a summer project.

The second part of it...improving the sidewalk all the way down to the corner of Q-Lot, landscaping (+trees), vehicle drop-off at the rec center, circular "plaza" at the corner of Q-lot...we might see the next year after that.

Anyway, if you keep an eye on the page (or just check here, I'll try to post whenever something new goes up there), you'll get a pretty good idea of where the team is focusing in the next few years in terms of Master Plan projects.

My educated guess on the "big" projects...and this is just a guess at this point is:
1. The Center for Performing Arts - funding has been released for construction, it will go ahead roughly according to schedule (at the bottom of this page: http://www.wiu.edu/vpas/fm/cpa.php) with actual breaking ground (not the ceremonial "turning of the dirt") starting next spring.
2. Hanson Field West Side - athletics department working to secure mostly private funding from companies and "high-value" donors...I'd bet we'll hear an announcement before the start of the 2015 football season.
3. Science Building/Currens Hall - will be the next "PAC"...spend a few years lobbying with the state to try to get money. Gonna take a while...could be 10+ years until start of construction, but could vary depending on political climate, state finances a few years down the road. If you go back to the previously linked timeline from the CPA...change 2002 to 2015 and adjust all dates ahead accordingly for the timeline for this project.

So, that's mostly all I know at this point. Again, I'll be sure to post something if I hear anything new (probably won't until February though).

I love that they are giving the alumni who are not present in Macomb a great breakdown of the ongoing projects. This is one of my favorite things to be able to view. I can not wait for them to place the live camera up at the PAC. Hopefully they do same thing for the West Stands.

Yea, a progress webcam would be nice. When it comes time for that I'll see what I can do to get that up and running.

It's not a Western project, but speaking of construction webcams...some of you may be familiar with the Macomb Public Library, just south of the square. In the past, there was the main library (a Carnegie Library) and then the children's library attached next to it. The children's library had previously been a separate business of various types, including a bar that was owned by Tom Carper (those of you who went to Western back in the '60s and '70s are probably familiar with the place). Anyway, because of ~$800k of local fundraising to then qualify for a ~$2.3 million grant, they have torn down the children's library and are building another building next to the old library. It'll be roughly the same size as the original building and look like the same style, but it'll be updated, have a lot more space and facilities for things like computers, presentations, meetings, etc.

They actually already have the basic structure of the new building up already, but it'll be sometime next year when it's all complete.

Below is the current image, but you can click here to see the webcam page.



Here's what the main library building looks like from the front, just fyi:

0812,
I am totally in agreement with you regarding keeping track of facilities. I took a look at the university's strategic plan back in 1973 and that is why I made sure I was involved in the latest strategic plan as an active participant representing the alumni council. Construction means renewal and growth. Sprucing up Qlot will go along way in making a good impression for visitors. I drive by the COD all the time and they have spent mega bucks on the parking lot. I hope I will be around to see the new Science Building if it takes as long as the PAC. I am 61 right now and hope that that building will be complete by the time I am 71. ST has done a great job keeping a pulse on what is going on at WIU! Let the fun begin! jc

Sure would be nice to hear or read a report from tommy or planning board on the status of major athletic improvements. I suppose until west side of Hanson is 50% funded we won't hear about any alumni fundraising opportunities. I just hope enough of us rise to the occasion.

Not related to athletics, but it's nice to see that the Wetzel mound project has taken shape.

I was on campus on Saturday (Dec 13).

The video board is still at Hanson Field.

I do not expect it to go up in hall this year they have not done the necessary work unless they can do it in a weeks time

Assuming we get the brackets and wiring in place, do we have the expertise to relocate it or is that something that Daktronic engineers have to do?

The first thing that has to happen is the panels have got to be taken down and checked out by the company that provides them. At the same time the infrastructure necessary to get them hung up and game ready has to be installed and that can't be done till graduation is finished. It all takes time! jc