Rickel Bldg. construction displaces tenants, offices
By Colleen Casey
Staff Reporter

After unpacking in the dark, the recreational sports administrative offices had the electricity turned on in their temporary offices after more than a month of working without electricity. However, Steve Kintigh, director of recreational sports, said they are now ready for work as usual.

Beginning this year, Texas deregulated electric companies and no electricity was available, said Jim Weller, the Physical Plant’s associate director of major projects.

“We don’t mind being in the trailer,” Kintigh said. “We’re freezing, but we can improvise and conduct most business.”

Maria Adamczyk/PHOTO EDITOR A worker in the old Cookesbury Bookstore, the temporary replacement for the Rickel, sets up equipment for the weightroom.

Weller said that while the Rickel Building remains closed, classes, services and offices have moved to temporary locations. All services previously held in the Rickel Building are set to move back when construction is completed in Fall 2002, he said.

For the time being, two modular buildings have been set up across the street from the Rickel Building and will facilitate the swimming and volleyball offices, Weller said.

He also said another modular building between Colby Hall and Sherley Hall will accommodate the School of Education’s TRIO Programs.

Swimmers and scuba diving students have also made a move.

Don Reece, scuba diving instructor, since there is an alternate pool available, the displacement of scuba diving classes previously held in the Rickel Building hasn’t become an inconvenience. Classes have been relocated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth Panther Branch pool at 1500 Hemphill St.

Other services relocated are also finding the move tolerable, said Jeanette Harris, director of the Writing Center. The Writing Center, along with the Intensive English Program offices and Alcohol and Drug Education Center are temporarily located in the Student Center basement.

Harris said that although the move itself was a little bit of a hassle, she appreciates the arrangement.

“We have a very nice space and we’re still able to function the same,” Harris said. “We are ready for business.”

Sparkle Greenhaw, programs specialist for the Alcohol and Drug Education Center, said she knows the move is beneficial.

“The new building will definitely give us more room to expand programming,” Greenhaw said. “We hope that while we’re in a more centralized location we’ll attract more students.”

Greenhaw said the services the center offers to students are still available while in the temporary location and they are doing their best to maintain confidentiality by installing private offices for counseling.

“We’re just being flexible,” Greenhaw said. “It will pay off in the long run.”

Colleen Casey
c.m.casey@student.tcu.edu

The TCU Daily Skiff © 2002