Yesterday, FAMU hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its $40 million Multipurpose Center Teaching Gymnasium with more than 500 in attendance to share in the excitement. The new 135,000 square foot facility will be home for the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) and the men’s and women’s basketball programs.
With the capacity of seating approximately 9,639, the gymnasium will house classrooms; a dance studio; computer lab with 24 workstations; TV production room; a banquet room; a separate hydrotherapy area featuring a Swimmex Therapeutic Pool; an examination and treatment area; and rehabilitation area, to name a few.
Members of the Florida Senate, Tallahassee City Commission, Leon County Commission, and Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau participated in the celebration.
“More than 40 years ago, I played in Gaither Gymnasium,” Sen. Al Lawson said. “To be here today for the opening of this new facility is like a dream come true. I would pass by here every day to make sure it [multipurpose teaching center gymnasium] had not moved. One day my granddaughter will have a chance to play is this gym.”
FAMU President James Ammons gave remarks on how he too watched the gymnasium come to a reality.
“During my tenure as president, I watched this building evolve and I must say that I am very pleased with the results,” Ammons said. “This is a fine facility that the University is very proud to have on its campus.”
Mayor John Marks and Sharon A. Liggett, president and CEO Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that the new gymnasium would be another asset to the Tallahassee community.
“I have the privilege to promote and market Tallahassee and this new facility,” Liggett said. “I hope we can work together with this new and wonderful asset FAMU possesses to bring more people to this beautiful city.”
FAMU students were also quite impressed with the new facility.
Sheena Dixon, a broadcast journalism student, commented: “This is a state-of-the-art facility. As a student I take pride in seeing FAMU grow.”
Marsha Butler, a business administration student, was mesmerized by the design and layout of the gymnasium.
“Absolutely amazing,” Butler said. “I thought I was at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. I feel like I was making history with FAMU today.”
Funding for the multipurpose teaching center gymnasium was provided by the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO).
The first event scheduled for the new facility will be the spring commencement scheduled for Sunday, May 3.
With the capacity of seating approximately 9,639, the gymnasium will house classrooms; a dance studio; computer lab with 24 workstations; TV production room; a banquet room; a separate hydrotherapy area featuring a Swimmex Therapeutic Pool; an examination and treatment area; and rehabilitation area, to name a few.
Members of the Florida Senate, Tallahassee City Commission, Leon County Commission, and Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau participated in the celebration.
“More than 40 years ago, I played in Gaither Gymnasium,” Sen. Al Lawson said. “To be here today for the opening of this new facility is like a dream come true. I would pass by here every day to make sure it [multipurpose teaching center gymnasium] had not moved. One day my granddaughter will have a chance to play is this gym.”
FAMU President James Ammons gave remarks on how he too watched the gymnasium come to a reality.
“During my tenure as president, I watched this building evolve and I must say that I am very pleased with the results,” Ammons said. “This is a fine facility that the University is very proud to have on its campus.”
Mayor John Marks and Sharon A. Liggett, president and CEO Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that the new gymnasium would be another asset to the Tallahassee community.
“I have the privilege to promote and market Tallahassee and this new facility,” Liggett said. “I hope we can work together with this new and wonderful asset FAMU possesses to bring more people to this beautiful city.”
FAMU students were also quite impressed with the new facility.
Sheena Dixon, a broadcast journalism student, commented: “This is a state-of-the-art facility. As a student I take pride in seeing FAMU grow.”
Marsha Butler, a business administration student, was mesmerized by the design and layout of the gymnasium.
“Absolutely amazing,” Butler said. “I thought I was at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. I feel like I was making history with FAMU today.”
Funding for the multipurpose teaching center gymnasium was provided by the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO).
The first event scheduled for the new facility will be the spring commencement scheduled for Sunday, May 3.
Congrulations on a great looking gym. Lets all hope the qulaity of the students using the gaym will match the qulaity of the gym
ReplyDeleteFSU can have that raggedy old Civic Center.....FAMU is taking over BABY!!!!
ReplyDelete10:29, you just had to go and mention you-know-who. We don't care what those folks do with the CC. Why is it that just HAVE to gauge what we do by what those other folks do or have done. Just leave them out of our equation.
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ReplyDelete7:51, the gym is nice but it does NOT "match" the quality of students at FAMU. If it was it'd be much better than it already is. It barely matches how much it cost. And CVB wasn't a match either.
ReplyDeleteNice, where's the scoreboard? Now when I recruit students, I can leave them to their own amazement when it comes to the gym.
ReplyDelete11:34 AM, Amen to your comment. I don't give a pair of moose balls what those people in the bottom are doing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations FAMU!! I can't wait to visit our new gym. Well deserved!!
11:34 and 3:50, Dang, I just made a simply observation....lighten the hell up.....Anyhow, let's hope the AD can make this goose egg work up a steady flow of revenue.
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ReplyDelete4:52, obviously everyone must have hit your nerve for you come back with a "lighten up" comment. I agree with the posters. We don't need what we do to be mentioned with what "they" do. Read my lips, er, comment: We Do Not Care. There Is No Need To Mention a "Simple Observation." Your observation must have some intrinsic, psychological bearing for you to even be thinking about that other school in the first danggone place. Now, what that other intrinsic, psychological bearing is that causes you to have those folk on your mind is beyond me. Do us all a favor and savor this great architectural moment that the University family is enjoying.
ReplyDeletethe scoreboard, 2:06 PM, is digitally incognito. When it's time for it to make an appearance, it will do so in grand fashion. We must try -- as difficult as it may be -- to move beyond that of the old -- as in the ever-present sight of all things Gaither Gym -- and move into the 21st-thinking mode. It might be a bit difficult for us to make that transition (because we've been operating with so little for so long), but we have to put forth a gargantuan effort.
ReplyDeleteThe gym looks great! May 3rd they are only giving each student who has worked hard on completeing their degree 10 tickets for graduaition...2500 tickets for general admisssion...What about those students with big family's...shame on you FAMU..all for the love of politics..and you wonder why the students dont give back!
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