By Sandra Hansen
shansen@torringtontelegram.com
TORRINGTON – The future of the former Eastern Wyoming College cosmetology building is on hold while staff and trustees consider
its fate.
Members of the EWC Board of Trustees, as well as college President Lesley Travers, and other staff, visited the building prior to the regular trustees meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Under consideration during the tour were a student recreation center and a new home for the fitness center.
Before the two ideas were discussed, Keith Jarvis, director of the EWC physical plant, explained what he had found during an inspection of the building, which is built into a berm. He said the structure has a wood frame with drywall interior. There was also discussion on potential water damage.
Neal Sherbeyn, EWC head men’s basketball coach and fitness center director, presented the case for turning the building into a fitness center. His comments included concerns over not being able to monitor athletes as well as in the past, and convenience of getting treatments.
“Our athletes that are getting rehab would have to travel away from the athletic training facility to get treatment,” he said.
On the plus side, the move would open space in the Verle Petsch Activity Center Gym for skybox seating, and fewer employees would be required.
Sherbeyn’s concerns also included an estimated cost of revamping the cosmetology facility, at $945,000, which includes painting, crack repairs, electrical work, plumbing and more. He also is concerned about losing about 500 square feet of space, from 3,415 square feet for the existing fitness center and free weights, to a proposed space of 2,907 square feet.
Speaking in favor of the student recreation center plan, Mia Lee Olson, admissions coordinator, said there are several primary objectives, including retention rates, marketability of campus life, and aiding with the recruitment process.
“Mainly, it would increase student satisfaction,” Olsen explained, noting it would feature games such as pool and pin ball, in addition to offering some student employment as well as real life business experience for business students.
Adding a coffee/beverage bar would generate revenue, and offer work experience, she said. Cons include potential community relations challenges because of the services offered in the new center.
The re-purposed center would include study rooms, an area specifically for the golf program, and provide a place for resident students to go for weekend entertainment/study. It would also provide services for summer students, such as those in the cosmetology program.
Olsen presented a cost estimate of $40,000, which would cover only staffing, furniture, and miscellaneous expenses.
EWC Trustees President John Patrick said the presentations were well done and would be taken under consideration, but he gave no deadline.
