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June Groundbreaking Date For Community Center

Madison– The Madison Community Center, a joint project between the City of Madison and Dakota State University, is moving forward. The $8-million dollar facility includes an indoor pool, a walking and jogging track, racquetball courts, a number of multi-use courts, an aerobics area, a fitness center, a youth room and more.

"Dakota State University is anxious to see this building come to fruition. Our students, as well as the people of Madison, will all benefit from the new, high-tech fitness center ," said Dr. Jerald Tunheim, President of DSU. "This project is a great example of how the City and the State can work together to develop, build and manage a facility that will greatly benefit both parties," he continued.

Mayor Royce Hueners added, "The Madison Community Center will be a great addition to our city. Our society today has high regard for wellness and recreation. This facility will provide opportunity for both interests 365 days a year, regardless of temperature or weather conditions. The Center further enhances the quality of life we enjoy in the greater Madison area."

The DLR Group of Omaha is the Architectural and Engineering firm for the project. Taylor-Ball of Des Moines is the construction management firm project.

"Taylor-Ball basically acts as the general contractor. It is their responsibility to generate the various bid packages and to coordinate all the various trades during construction," said Pat Keating, Director of the Physical Plant at DSU.

"The construction manager is also required to execute a contractual guarantee, before all the bids are received and work starts, that the project cost will not exceed the budget amount. This written assurance is extremely valuable to the owners with a project of this magnitude and complexity," said Bill Heyer, City Engineer of Madison.

On April 30th, three parts of the project were advertised for bids. They will be publicly opened on May 13^th. The three packages include site preparation, exterior pre-cast structural concrete, and interior masonry.

"Building site work is estimated to begin in mid-June. An official groundbreaking ceremony will be held then. We are still hopeful the facility will be open in Fall 2000," said Tunheim.

A construction committee, comprised of nine voting members and three non-voting ex-officio members, is charged with overseeing construction and monitor areas such as budgets and deadlines.

Committee members from the Madison community are Barb Fiege, Clark Sinclair, Jim Iverson, Dick Fawbush, and Mayor Royce Hueners. DSU representatives are Bob Warren, Evan Gough, Judy Dittman and Mark Lee. The ex-officio members are Jeff Heinemeyer, Bill Heyer, and Pat Keating.

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