The UW-Madison Natatorium may see major renovations within the next few years if a student referendum passes next week.
Mike Bernatz, president of NatUp, the student organization working to pass the referendum, said the main reason for the proposed renovation is the overcrowding of the facility.
According to Bernatz, over the past ten years, recreational sports facility use has increased by 50 percent and the current Natatorium cannot support the increased usage.
""Students, now more than ever, are committed to healthier and more active lifestyles,"" he said. ""Our facilities need to provide enough space and equipment for students to pursue their active lifestyles.""
The proposed renovations would include a larger weight room and cardio area, a new indoor turf, four basketball courts surrounded by an indoor track and several new classrooms.
UW-Madison junior Clark Oster said he feels that both the SERF and the Natatorium are too crowded and he would support the renovation to give students more room to exercise.
""I really like to work out at the Nat, and I would enjoy a more spacious and less crowded atmosphere,"" he said.
Amy Jones, a UW-Madison junior and kinesiology major, said she supports the renovations but hopes the construction does not interfere with kinesiology classes that are located at the Natatorium.
Bernatz said the renovation would be funded by a $54.19 fee increase per semester beginning in the fall of 2013, with other funds potentially coming from UW Recreation Sports. The fee would remain for 30 years and cost $60 million total, according to a Recreational Sports Board report.
Bernatz said, however, that Recreational Sports plans to raise private donations to lower the cost to students.
Bernatz said UW-Madison's recreational facilities are behind those at most Big Ten schools and hopes students vote for the referendum in order to keep UW-Madison in the top of its peer group in terms of student services and facilities provided.
""At some point someone is going to have to step up and make a commitment for the future generation so they can have access to things we don't,"" he said.
Students can vote on the renovations April 12-14. If it passes, the renovation would begin in late 2011 and would be completed by Fall 2014.
