MSU Using ‘Bubbles’ in Place of Collapsed Gyms

Montana State University President, Waded Cruzado, has issued the following update regarding temporary gym structures that will be installed at Marga Hoseaus Fitness Center this fall for the use of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as on the reopening of the fitness center.

The removal of the east gyms will be complete within the next few weeks. The goal is to preserve for now the ground level portions of the eastern fitness center -- those containing the racquetball courts and climbing wall -- with the hope of reopening that portion of the building. A timeline for that work has yet to be determined, but MSU will announce that information as soon as possible.

Over the summer, work on the east wall of the fitness center will continue, converting what was once an interior wall into an exterior wall.

This week, construction will begin building on two temporary structures to replace the gym space that was lost in March.

One of these "bubble" structures will be erected atop the existing outdoor tennis courts, which will be converted into multi-purpose courts, and another built nearby to the south.

These temporary structures will provide the gym space needed for educational, athletic and recreational programming for the next few years while permanent structures are designed and built.

Work will also begin on the fitness center's pool area this summer. The fitness center building has been closed since March 7.

During that time, the building was carefully evaluated, and engineering analysis determined that the roof of the pool -- which was built similarly to the roofs of the North and South gyms -- must also be repaired.

This means that the pool, unfortunately, will not reopen with the rest of the fitness center. Instead, bracing will be added throughout the pool area to secure the roof while plans for its reconstruction are made.

MSU plans to reopen the fitness center in mid-August so it will be available when students return for the fall semester. They plan to open the temporary structures in early October.

As for the future of the fitness center, this summer and fall you can expect to see public design sessions held on campus where you can provide input and ideas for the rebuilding process, as well as the launch of a website that will provide updates on this multi-year rebuilding process.

The fitness center is a heavily used part of the MSU campus and is important to students, faculty, staff and alumni alike.

Montana State University contributed to this story