College begins planning for PE Building renovation

WYE MILLS – Chesapeake College Athletic Director Frank Szymanski gave himself about 16 hours to enjoy the Talbot County Council’s June decision to fund construction of the Center for Allied Health and Athletics.

Then he went to work with his staff on planning for a 2013-14 athletic year spent at least partially without a home.

“This is actually a good problem to have,” remarked Szymanski, whose sports teams will have access to a totally renovated gym and indoor athletic facilities once the project comes on line.

The college has already begun the design phase of the project, which will determine just how long the college sports teams’ current home is unavailable.  Szymanski said his first job is to start identifying potential locations with gyms and locker room facilities that may be available for college use.

Szymanski said he has plenty of colleagues who can help him with outlining a plan.

“Cecil College and the College of Southern Maryland both had relatively recent total renovations of their indoor athletic facilities,” said Szymanski.  “Their ADs and staffs can be fantastic resources for us as we plan for this project.”

Szymanski said the end result of the project – a completely renovated gymnasium with functioning mechanical systems, an expanded fitness center, and both increased and improved locker room and practice space – will be more than worth any temporary hassles.

“Our facilities are used by more than just our student athletes,” noted Szymanski.  “We have faculty, staff, students, local kids taking part in athletic camps, and members of the community who regularly use our facilities.  This project will positively impact many more individuals than most people realize.”

An added benefit will be the advantage the new facilities will provide Skipjack coaches recruiting student athletes for their various sports.

“It’s amazing what we have accomplished athletically with facilities that aren’t on par with most of our rivals across the state,” said Szymanski, whose program has won four region championships in four different sports since 2005.  “Once this facility is renovated, we will be even more competitive in recruiting for top student athletes.”

The Talbot County Council’s 3-2 vote in favor of the project followed similar affirmative votes by Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.  Those votes gave the college the majority support of its five service counties necessary to move forward the $36 million project, which includes $27 million in state funding.

The lion’s share of the $36 million is necessary to build the 45,872-square-foot addition to the PE Building that will house the college’s nursing and allied health programs.  That part of the project is expected to come on line in either late 2015 or early 2016.