Labor shortages and a back-up on ordered materials have
contributed to further delays in the construction of Wooden Center
West. The addition to UCLA’s primary recreation facility was
originally expected to open in March 2004, but this most recent
delay will likely postpone the entire project’s completion
until the end of the fall quarter.
In June, the recreation department had planned to unveil the
completed addition by the beginning of fall quarter, but that date
was pushed back to the middle of October when the goal became
unattainable.
Now, students will likely have to wait at least another month
before they can take advantage of the increased cardio and
weightlifting space, Outdoor Adventures Center and Energy Zone
Convenience Store.
“There’s the best laid plans and then there’s
construction reality,” said Mick Deluca, director of Cultural
and Recreational Affairs.
Deluca noted that the addition is about 85 percent complete, but
the finishing touches are still presenting some challenges.
Ensuring that the added space will meet the occupancy codes is a
primary concern, while electrical work and other system
installations also need to be completed. These are some of the same
factors that have previously slowed down construction.
“Those kinds of trades and work are on a revised
schedule,” Deluca said. “It’s a contractor-labor
thing.”
As the recreation department was preparing to open Wooden West
for the early fall, a good portion of the strength and cardio
equipment was relocated to storage facilities. This has caused an
increased wait for most of the machines throughout the day.
“The average waiting period has gone way up,”
third-year student Patricia Ju said. “It’s almost
impossible to come in and find a machine to use.”
Many students, disgruntled by the inaccessibility of the Wooden
Center, have gone elsewhere to exercise. Aaron Aquino, who lifts
weights at the Wooden Center, purchased a 24-Hour Fitness pass
because of the difficulty in finding space to work out on a regular
basis.
“It would be nice if I could go here because it’s so
convenient,” Aquino said. “But everybody has to change
their workouts because of the lines for machines and
weights.”
Deluca originally envisioned a grand opening for the entire
Wooden West, but is now anticipating that parts of the Center will
open independently of each other. Opening the cardio and weight
training area within the next month or so is the department’s
top priority, and Deluca hopes the other areas will follow shortly
thereafter.
Not surprisingly, students are disappointed in the recent delay,
but the news is far from a shock to them.
Despite the current end-of-fall-quarter timetable, Aquino
doesn’t expect Wooden West to be entirely completed until
February. Other students have become entirely accustomed to
seemingly unending construction projects.
“Any construction going on anywhere on campus, the due
date has always been extended,” Ju said. “It’s
just another thing.”