HERSHEY, Pa. – Penn State students have endorsed funding for the second phase of expansion of the Intramural (IM) Building at University Park. The addition supported by the Student Facility Fee Committee includes three basketball courts, extension of the running track on the mezzanine level and conversion of the existing main gym into a multi-activity court.

The IM Building, at the intersection of Curtin Road and University Drive, is currently undergoing a $26.1 million partial renovation and construction of a 48,000-square-foot addition. The multi-phase project is part of an overall University strategy to meet increasing student demand for fitness and recreation facilities and is paid for primarily with University Park’s Student Facility Fee funds.

Penn State’s Board of Trustees Friday (March 15) approved the appointment of Moody Nolan Inc., of Columbus, Ohio, as the architectural firm for future phases of renovation to the IM Building. As part of its appointment, Moody Nolan Inc. was charged with developing a master plan for the I.M. Building that can be implemented in subsequent phases. Phase I construction began on Feb. 4 and includes a new main entrance on Curtin Road to make the building more visible and accessible.

Building access has shifted from the Curtin Road entrance to the back (north) side of the building for the coming year. Phase I of the project is scheduled for completion in May 2014.