After the roofs of two gyms at the Student Fitness Center at Montana State University collapsed earlier this month, crews have begun demolition of the complex to make way for a new rebuild of the facility’s east side according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
The roofs at the South Gym and North Gym at the Marga Hosaeus Fitness Center collapsed on March 7 and March 9, respectively, after record snowfall caved them in. Nobody was hurt in the collapses, as the first one took place in the middle of the night and the school took precautions to cordon off the area in anticipation of the second collapse days later.
School president Waded Cruzado said last week that the demolition/rebuild was “the safest and most efficient path forward” after meeting with MSU’s insurer. Demolition is expected to continue throughout the week.
In the meantime, campus is adjusting to life without its fitness center. Classes that were held there have been relocated to other parts of campus, as has some of the fitness and weight training equipment. School spokesperson Michael Becker said that MSU will also offer students a pro-rated credit for athletic facility fees while the fitness center is unuseable, though the details are yet to be worked out.
Becker said that students will be involved in the decision whether to rebuild a bigger, better facility. Insurance monies are expected to cover much of the cost of new construction, but both the total construction cost and the insurance payout to cover it remains unclear.
