Special Edition
September 20,1999
B
Emerald
Navigating new waters
After first getting involved as a University student in the
mid-1980s, Dan Geiger replaces retired Bruce Mason as
the new Outdoor Program director this year. PAGE 28
Reporting from abroad
An Emerald freelancer reports on life in Cuernavaca—one
of three new exchange programs to Mexico added last
spring by the University. PAGES 6B, 7B
Esslinger set to get the ball rolling
■ Phase one of the two
part Esslinger recreation
center renovation will
be revealed Sept. 27
By Mirjam Swanson
Oregon Daily Emerald
New and improved, the
Esslinger recreation center is
scheduled to reopen its doors on
Sept. 27, the first day offall term.
Phase one of the $18-20 mil
lion renovation of the rec cen
ter on the corner of East 15th
Avenue and University Street
finishes both on schedule and
on budget.
“We’re living under a lucky
star,” said Karla Rice, director
of Physical Activity and Recre
ations Services. “Things have
just seemed to go right all the
way along.”
A year after construction start
ed, students now have a
sparkling new student- and state
funded rec center to do what the
project slogan has suggested all
along: Come out and play.
Completed amenities
through phase one of the two
phase remodeling procedure
include new weight and cardio
vascular equipment, new bas
ketballs, volleyballs, racquet
ball rackets and much more.
“There’s obviously going to
be more opportunities to come
out and play for everyone,”
said Molly Kennedy, PARS as
sistant director of operations.
The two weight rooms — al
ways a heavily used area — are
1/3 larger and will be open more
often than before. The space con
taining all of the cardiovasculai
equipment will remain open all
hours that the building is open
— from 6:30 a.m. until 11:00
p.m. The weight room with flat
benches, dumbbells and various
other weight equipment will be
available for use all but four
hours of the day, when classes
are held there.
“This is going to be one of
the focal points of the building
because we’re actually going to
have it open so much,”
Kennedy said. “We’re trying to
expand hours pretty signifi
cantly.”
The climbing wall features
top-roping, repelling stations
and specifically positioned
cracks, all aspects expected to
make it especially appealing to
climbers of all levels of expertise.
The juice bar, less than 50
feet from the climbing wall, is a
completely new concept in
Esslinger. Rec center users will
be able to purchase treats such
as coffee, smoothies and
bagels.
“We realize that not every
body wants to come in here
and play,” Kennedy said.
“Some people just want to
come and hang out and watch
other people. So that’s what
this is for.”
The artificial turf field will
open on Oct. 15. The 195 feet
by 330 feet field is a plastic
composite that will allow for
easy drainage in wet condi
tions. Outdoor lights will facil
itate its playability at night as
well.
“The artificial turf field can
be used for soccer, ultimate
frisbee, flag football and just
Turn to Esslinger, Page 4B
Scott Barnett/Emerald
We’re living under a lucky
star. Things have just seemed to
go right all the way along.
Karla Rice
Director of PARS
-H
The new Esslinger recreation center is ready to
dive into action both at its entrance (top) and in
Leighton pool (left).
Food court is a full plate
■ The summer additions of Jamba
Juice and Pizza Pianet round
out the EMU food court
By Edward Yuen
Oregon Daily Emerald
After two years of construction, the EMU
food court is now in full operation with the
September opening of Pizza Planet.
Besides pizza, students can enjoy differ
ent cuisine in the food court, ranging from
bread, burritos and sandwiches to vegetari
an, sushi and curry dishes with drinks
such as coffee and smoothies.
Susan Racette, EMU associate director
and business manager, said a company
merger delayed the opening of Jamba
Juice, one of the new tenants, and Pizza
Planet. Refreshing Concepts, the owner
of the local franchises of these two stores,
was supposed to start operation in
March. The merger delayed the opening
of the shops to June and September, re
spectively.
In addition to the opening of the new
stores, Tiny’s Chili and Dog will replace
Bento Brothers on Fridays in the Market
Place starting this fall. The owner of this
new vendor also operates The Tiny Tav
ern, an old and well-established pub in
Eugene. This new operation will bring in
a menu of chili, hot dogs, baked potatoes
with toppings and garlic bread to stu
dents.
Other vendors, including Samurai Duck,
Ritta’s Burritos, India House and Orient Ex
press, will share Market Place space for the
rest of the week.
Racette said these four returning vendors
in the Market Place were popular during
the last school year. According to the result
of the surveys that were conducted in win
ter and spring, however, students want
more food options in the food court.
Racette believes the new vendors will be
come popular and the new shops will fit in
Turn to Food court, Page 8B