For the past 22 years, cheering and sweating students have strained the utilities at the Athletic Complex. With current plans for rebuilding and renovation, Washington University is working hand-in-hand with a local architecture firm to design a complex that would better accommodate the University’s needs.

“For a couple years now we have…known that we wanted to make some improvements,” said Dean of Students Justin Carroll. “What we need to do is get some consensus on what our plans and goals are and work toward finding the resources to make these improvements.”

The University has hired Hastings and Chivetta, a Clayton architecture firm with experience designing recreational complexes across the country. They may be more commonly known on campus as the designers of the Park and Mudd dormitories on the South 40.

Some of the new additions could include better fitness areas, an Olympic-sized swimming pool with room both for swimming teams and recreational swimmers, and an indoor track circling a multipurpose room that could be used for indoor tennis and other sports.

Roger Follmer, head coach for men’s tennis, said indoor tennis courts would not only help his team but would also increase class size for students enrolling in tennis classes.

“Every year we have a waitlist for PE [physical education] tennis,” said Follmer, adding that indoor tennis courts would “without a doubt” increase spots available for tennis classes.

Cold and wet weather often forces University tennis players to travel to other facilities where indoor tennis is available.

“We’ve had to go off-campus, which is a liability. I think indoor tennis would be great,” he said.

Jeff Stiles, track and field coach, would also welcome a few improvements.

“I would like to see an indoor track,” said Stiles. “A 200-meter track would benefit a lot of people.”

Carroll agreed, noting that the current indoor track leaves runners vulnerable to collisions with awry balls from the court below.

While no concrete plans or timeline exist, Carroll said the changes would not interfere with the University’s chances of hosting one of the 2008 presidential debates. Depending on funds, construction will not begin for at least one to two years. If the resources are readily available, the University will try to “do it all at once,” but adjustments to the Athletic Complex will most likely be completed in increments.

The new complex would be expanded to a bigger footprint than the one it currently occupies. Architects hope to take advantage of the space from the parking lot north of the Athletic Complex. The difference in elevation will also help architects save space by layering various gyms and rooms.

“I think it should be renovated first and foremost because it doesn’t fit the needs of our students right now. A lot of the facilities and equipment are old. Our peer institutions, like Emory or NYU, have a lot of cool things in their athletic facilities that we don’t have that attract students,” said Neil Patel, newly elected Student Union president.

The improvements may still be uncertain, but Carroll said that he hopes the new Athletic Complex will be able to cater to both athletics and major events.

“It’s the largest venue on campus for any kind of event,” he said, estimating that around 80 special events use the Athletic Complex every year. “One of the challenges is that any time there is a special event, it disrupts the regular users. Hopefully, one of the things that will be improved is not only gaining space, but gaining space that’s dedicated to athletics and recreation.”

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