Vadalabene Gymnasium Improvements 

The design to replace the existing bleachers is progressing as the program has been completed and schematic designs have been developed.  The new space created under the bleachers will include a new Women’s Restroom with at least twice as many fixtures currently available, a visitor’s locker room, storage space, 2 classrooms for 49 students, graduate assistant offices, and offices for the basketball coaching staff.  Kinesiology will gain badminton courts and volleyball courts for their classes. 

Plans for new Wrestling / Volleyball Center on Stadium Drive 

A new Wrestling/Volleyball Center is being designed and the construction documents are over 50% complete.  This facility will be around 75,000 square feet and feature an open court that can handle 10 wrestling mats at one time.  Volleyball will have 5 courts available when the court is set up that way.  Locker room facilities, offices, and practice courts are included.  A nice open lobby will provide good circulation before and after matches, as well as having a concession area for the goodies.  The building will be located on Stadium Drive, northeast of Korte Stadium and the Women’s Softball Field.  Parking will be in the existing parking lot, but the entrance from Stadium Drive will be new and located north of the existing driveways.  In fact, the current driveway at the north end of the parking lot will be removed.

Landscaping Upgrades: 

A contract has been awarded to add stone landscaping retaining walls on the hillside adjacent to the Wishing Well.  A pair of parallel walls will extend north from the Wishing Well and end near the steps to the Clinic.  A separate single wall will extend south of the Wishing Well and terminate near the sidewalk.  This initial phase of the project will erect the walls and a landscaping plan will be developed to anchor the hillside with plantings.  The new lower level will be leveled with decorative gravel base, and “stepping stone” pads installed for tables and chairs with some walking pads connecting them.  This area is shady during the summer mid-day and will provide a pleasant outside space for students, faculty, and staff.

Open House: 

In preparation for the annual "Family Day" held Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the SDM Alton campus, FM crews installed tents, prepared grounds and generally spruced up the campus and buildings for our SIUE guests.  Grounds preparations continue for the fall and winter seasons by the grounds crew who are now focusing on turf improvement.

Kudos to our crew!

In preparation for the recent SIUE 50th anniversary celebration at ESLHEC, FM crews cleaned buildings, trimmed grounds, and installed banners around the campus and along Jim Thompson Blvd.  Their efforts were recognized with a letter of appreciation from Director Patricia Harrison, thanking them for their efforts and a "job well done".