Location key to basketball courts

UA members discussed different proposals with the provost yesterday. Five members of the Undergraduate Assembly met with Provost Robert Barchi yesterday to discuss cost and location concerns surrounding the construction of several on-campus basketball courts. According to Barchi, the basketball courts may materialize as early as next fall. "We are ready to proceed," Barchi said, "I certainly think this can happen." The two locations under discussion include an area near Mayer Hall -- which would cost roughly $80,000 for one court -- and the rooftop of the parking garage at the corner of 38th and Spruce streets. The latter proposal would cost exactly double that price to build one court. The significant price difference, Barchi explained, is due to security issues surrounding the garage, such as fencing and lighting, as well as engineering costs necessary to make the garage more capable of holding a basketball court. Despite the price difference, the UA is still undecided as to which location it will choose for construction. While the Mayer location is less expensive, both Barchi and the UA expressed concern about the level of disturbing noise that would occur outside a student residence. "We don't want to do anything that will anger the residents," said UA Chairman Mike Silver, a College senior. "We represent them also." If the University chooses to construct the court on Mayer Hall's grounds, it will consult the residents living there. As of now, Silver and other UA members who attended the meeting said that the choosing a location will be the UA's top priority. "[The amount] of funding needed is contingent on location," Silver said. The location and costs of the courts will be discussed at the UA's meeting this Sunday, but Silver said that he could not say when the location would be decided. Earlier this week, Silver said fundraising could be achieved through private donors, such as alumni athletes. "I think this will really appeal to them," Silver said. "[The project] involves donating thousands of dollars -- not millions." Alhough the initial plan called for creating two basketball courts, the number of courts to be built at the decided location remains tentative. UA member and College and Wharton sophomore David Burd said it might be a cost-effective idea to first build one court and then assess its popularity before building a second. UA members also discussed a number of other projects on their agenda with the provost -- including New Student Orientation, financial aid and Rosengarten Reserve Room renovations. The UA will meet with Barchi again in the upcoming weeks to continue discussions on the basketball court proposal.