Athletes and gym-goers alike have noticed the construction present by the parking lot entrance of Skoglund Athletic Center (Skog), as well as new additions to the athletic training facilities in the wrestling room. The hollow metal frames and spontaneous appearance certainly would attract a question or two. But the reasoning behind the new construction has a rather simple explanation: expanding office space and adding new athletic recovery facilities.
According to Director of Recreation Ryan Townzen, several factors went into the decision to create the new office spaces, which will be located by the front parking lot entrance to Skog. For one, a new tenure-track professor was added to the Kinesiology Department, who currently remains office-less.
“Kinesiology has grown… the kinesiology major is up to 200 majors, whereas five years ago, it was 100 or something like that… having additional office space for that is paramount,” Townzen said.
Additionally, St. Olaf has around 50 athletic staff members but only around 30 offices for them to use.
“We have a bunch of people sharing [offices],” Townzen said. “For example, our softball and assistant softball coach share. Hockey and assistant hockey for both men’s and women’s share. Basketball, same thing,” Townzen said.
Townzen was informed that these offices could be complete in December, but is still unsure of the exact timeline, seeing as the door frames are on backorder. Upon completion, Townzen and Assistant Director of Recreation Grant Herfindahl will occupy the newly built office spaces. In addition to the offices, the front desk will be reconfigured to a more permanent place in the entrance and will feature more hidden storage.
On the lower floor of Skog, two additional rooms have been built connected to the wrestling room. One will be where the lab equipment for the Kinesiology Department is used. The other will be for athletes after they receive treatment in the recovery room.
“Essentially the idea is, once you get your treatment, then instead of having to kind of be in there and clutter, you move over to this room where you recover,” Townzen said.
Townzen was unsure as to exactly when these spaces will be ready for use, but anticipates they should be completed before the construction on the offices has wrapped up.
