What: Drexel University officials will break ground for a new 84,000 square-foot-recreation center along Market Street between 33rd and 34th Streets. Students, faculty and staff will celebrate the groundbreaking with a recreational sports fair and a cook out.Who/Visuals: University President Constantine Papadakis and Richard A. Greenawalt, board of trustees chairman, will unveil a four-foot replica of the “Mario the Magnificent” dragon sculpture (the original, created by Eric Berg, is at 33rd and Market Streets). The sculpture will be dedicated in honor of Drexel alumnus Chris Duffy, who approached the administration with the idea of constructing a new Recreation Center and former Senior Vice President for Student Life and Administrative Services Anthony Caneris. Papadakis will shovel with Greenawalt, Caneris, Duffy, Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, Eric Zillmer, director of Athletics, James Tucker, senior vice president for Student Life and Administrative Services, and Drexel trustees Robert Buckley and the Honorable Ida Chen. Building features: --The $41.6 million facility is scheduled for completion in fall 2009. --The facility will feature a climbing wall, multi-purpose gym, suspended running/walking track, workout instruction rooms, squash courts, a nutritional juice bar and a sports grille restaurant. --The recreation center will feature an integral glass and metal panel façade. --Light scopes on the roof will allow significant daylight into the space, providing enough to eliminate the use of electric lights during the day for 87 percent of the interior space. --A rainwater reuse system will use storm water to reduce the amount of potable water used for toilet flushing. When: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at 5 p.m.Where: On the North Lawn of the Daskalakis Athletic Center (33rd Street and Lancaster Walk)News Media Contact: Niki Gianakaris, Assistant Director, Drexel News Bureau 215-895-6741, 215-778-7752 (cell) or ngianakaris@drexel.edu
