The final design for the Falcon Fieldhouse was approved by the Board of Trustees on Friday, April 13, 1990.
An Underg
raduate Student Government (USG) poll of 162 students conducted in February 1990 revealed that 95 percent showed support for the new facility. The building had to be financed through Interest-bearing bonds and student fees financed over a 15 year period. However, the same USG poll showed that 94 percent showed support for the construction using general fees.
The primary purpose of the new 130,000 square-foot facility was to house intramurals and physical education classes. A major benefit of the fieldhouse was the ability to move intramurals indoors during inclement weather. Use of the building included physical education classes during the morning hours, varsity teams during the afternoon, and intramurals in the evening.
According to interim director of the fieldhouse Ron Zweirlein, part of the University’s planning for the new facility included visits to similar facilities at other campuses. By examining the strengths and weaknesses of existing facilities, and Ron Zweirlein was quoted as saying “my area of expertise is in the design of facilities of this type and this is one of the nicest I have ever seen.” Trustee Kevin Coughlin noted that the building was designed to house sporting activities, not spectators, and plans were not included for bleachers.
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