A constant countdown clock ticks away the time separating UW-Madison students from Election Day on the NatUP 2010 website. Within a week the decision to give birth to a new and fresh member of the University of Wisconsin family of buildings rests in the hands of those attending it. Will you vote in favor of the NatUP proposal, or will you suck the life out of the futuristic drawings designed to give voters a sneak peek into the potential athletic facility to come? The decision depends on a few important factors; the most significant being the simple, campus-wide notion that an online referendum is taking place April 12 through the 14 regarding renovations to the Natatorium (the gym on that other end of campus used by those residing in Lakesnore).
I believe I speak for all University of Wisconsin-Madison students when I say that the Nat is no facility to be proud of. The equipment is old and the space is limited. While many may argue that Lakeshore students get enough work-out time traveling from dorm to class, the gymnasium still fails to provide spacious recreational, fitness and multi-use rooms desired by a large portion of students. There is no denying that a new facility would be an additional perk on campus, but do the costs exceed the benefits for those voting on its creation?
Through the past few weeks there has been much hype over what is to be expected from the Nat's improvements. From indoor turf fields to spacious exercise rooms to areas designed for versatile use, the prospective Nat unarguably has a fresh style with a variety of amenities to offer students seeking fitness. The gym that is currently an afterthought to most students would soon gain more appreciation than the SERF if refurbished, yet this new haven for the healthy comes to a bit of an unfortunate halt when it comes to who is paying the bill.
While many students justifiably scoff at the additional $54.19 in seg fees per semester, those facing the brunt of mounting tuition costs are this year's freshmen. The fee does not go into effect until the fall of 2013, meaning the majority of students reading this article will pay virtually nothing toward the renovations. Along with this is the fact that by the time the newly designed Nat opens its gates, most of us will have expired Wiscards leading to rejections as cold-hearted as the iron fists at Brothers.
Because the creation of an improved Nat has generally no effect on the majority of current UW-Madison students, we have an opportunity to look at its renovations objectively and critically. Before taking your vote to the polls, consider how the benefits and burdens of this new facility will affect Badgers to come. It is important to remember that the outcome of the poll will likely have no impact on those voting, so maintaining an objective mindset is vital.
Being one of the many students who aim to find time to work out, I believe an expansion of some sort is needed. There is no greater disappointment than finding the endurance to sweat through a workout, only to discover every machine taken. Filling out that little clipboard is always a moment engulfed in distress. Yet the renovations to the existing Nat may not seem worth the increasing tuition for students to come.
While the location of this new facility does not appear ideal for such a grandiose and expensive building, there are no other spaces available for this large of a project. If we are going to charge students for a new gymnasium, it should be in a location that suits the bulk of Badgers rather than in an area where individuals have to huff and puff to get to. This economic climate allows for financially friendly renovations, but it also makes paying continually raising tuition more strenuous for struggling students. After contributing to new buildings on campus left and right, we can all agree that it is time students get a break. Unfortunately, this may be our only option for a much-needed refurbished facility.
The new Natatorium might be a new facility for campus to be proud of, but is it really worth it? April 12 through the 14, students are given the chance to voice their opinion and will hopefully do so bearing in mind that the renovated Nat will most likely have no effect on them personally.
Samantha Witthuhn is a sophomore majoring in political science. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
