Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-23
new GYM At COLBY NOT ASSURED
ASSERT NO ONE GIVEN AUTHORITY TO
RAISE FUNDS FOR COST OF BUILDING

Waterville, Feb. "a great deal OF
discussion has been brought up about
the last few days at Colby college
over articles in several newspapers
in the state which have referred to
the proposed new Colby gymnasium.
From the articles, it would seem that
the gymnasium was practically as
sured and the raising OF the. funds
for it's construction was placed in
the hands of the head of the athletic
department.
According to the committee on
grounds and buildings of the trustees
of Colby college, the officials of the
Colby Athletic Association, and the
faculty committee on athletics. no
person either connected with the fac
ulty of Colby college OF In any other
position under the college has been
authorized by any of the three bodies,
W no would have the supervision over
such matters, to raise funds for the
proposed new gymnasium. Inciden-
tally. the head Of the department of
athletics has denied that he has re-
ceived authority to raise the funds.
Hon. Norman l.. Bassett of Angus
I'd, CHAIRMAN Vi tie oIl
grounds and buildings of the trustees
of the college and who would have
the last say about the construction
or new gymnasium, denied abso-
lutely that any person had been au'
thoriZed in any manner to raise FUNDS
for the construction of the building.
MIR. Eassett further stated that the
extent of his knowledge Of the mat
fhn of
sketches which the arm of Bunker
and Savage drew up and were later
changed. He stated that the matter
Of new gymnasium came up over a
year ago and Bunker and Savage
made some sketches which were
changed afterwards when it became
known that the trustees were dis
GUESSING the matter Of building an
addition to the present structure.
This matter was likewise dropped
without any action and Mr.. Bassett
stated that he had no knowledge of
the newer set of plans with the eX-
ception that he met Mr.. Bunker in
Augusta recently and the latter sta
ted that the new plans were working
in weel at that time.
DR.. George +. Barmenter, chairman
Of the faculty committee on athletics
at the college. stated today that it
was not within the power Of the fac
ulty to authorize any person to raise
funds for the building but that such
an action would fall to the trustees.
James A. Barnes, "a. of Houlton' and
Ellsworth w. Millett, '25, OF Whit
man, Mass; president and secretary
respectively of the Colby Athletic AS
ISOLATION, absolutely denied that the
Athletic Council had authorized or
had the power to authorize any per-
son to raise funds for buildings.
George F. Terry, Jr., alumni represen-
tative of the council backed up the
statement of Barnes and Millett.
For several years the need of n
new gymnasiura at Colby college
has been keenlS felt and the pro
posed new building has been talked
of for some time now. The present
gymnasium is entirely inadequate for
the needs of the department of ath-
letics as it provides little space for
the large classes in physical edu-
cation which is n required course
coming three hours q week during
the freshman and sophomore years
of a student in the college. The
locker rooms are small and will not
aCCOHlOudtG all vi TIE SluuGuLS III
the physical educational course with
the various athletes, many Of whom
are forced to dress into uniform in
their fraternity houses and dormi
tories. The equipment for the
classes as well as for all of the ath
letic teams is lacking because of
room. There is practically no room
at all for the track men to workout
in the bad weather and the build
ing is too dark to allow the baseball
and football coaches to work their
teams out in rainy weather during
their respective seasons. The show
err baths are small and too few in
numbers to accommodate all of the
men.
According to Mr.. Bunker. of the
firm of Bunker and Savage OF Au-
susta, who have been commissioned
to draw up the Sketches for the
preliminary plans Of the proposed
gymnasium, the main floor viii be
a large concrete slab which will be
supported about three feet above the
ground at the front of the build
ing and will allow plenty Of room
under this sab at the rear as the
ground slopes away from the front
of the structure rapidly. On this
slab will be the main floor of the
gymnasium with it's huge dirt cover
ed floor which will be used for ath-
letic teams. The space will be large
enough to allow regulation sized
intield of a baseball diamond and
may also be used by the football
team and the weight men in track
Circling around this space and above
it, there will be a large board track
on which the track men will have
ample opportunity to work out in
the winter months. On the floor be-
gymnasium floor with it's locker
rooms and shower baths adjoining.
This surface will be plenty large
enough for use of the classes in ply
steal education and also for a bas-
ketball floor. There will be room
enough to accommodate several hun
Grcd specta tors in intercollegiate
basketball and other indoor contests
that may be held here Separate
locker rooms will be provided for
both the visiting and home teams
in the rear of the gymnasium. 9th
er rooms will be devoted to hand
ball courts. special development
rooms. administrative rooms of the
athletic department and coaches. as
well as large lobby on the .main
ing.
Athletic authorities at Colby COL
lege stated that the only way that
this dream will ever come true is
by having the alumni of the college
get together and back the move
ment to finish. The estimated
cost Of the building as preliminary
designs by Bunker and Savage show
that the structure may be finished
and ready for the use by the college
for sum which is between 5000. 600
and S250,oO0. This Is nearly $780,
900 less than some original plans
called for but Mr. Bunker ha q Anint