Artist's rendering of the Waco Center complex
By Drew Moody
For the Hur Herald
At first blush Glenville State College's new gymnasium looks like a new NCAA Division 1 facility you'd see at a major university -- just downsized. With a seating capacity over 3,000 it is the largest multi-use arena in central West Virginia.
While primarily designed for the school's basketball and volleyball programs, additional uses in the future may include hosting middle and high school tournaments, booking concert events or as a boxing venue.
Entrance to Waco Center
Looking down on Glenville State College's new gymnasium.
The basketball court has been named 'McPherson Court' in
honor of Mary Lee McPherson and her late husband, Tom
McPherson, former chairman of the college's board of governor's
Spearheaded by Ike and Sue Morris, of Glenville, the Waco Center adds to a lengthy list of improvements at the school keeping up with 21st Century technology pacing a steadily increasing student enrollment over the past several years. The 140,000 square foot complex
is located adjacent to the college's football field on Mineral Road.
"This would have never happened without Ike and Sue Morris," GSC president Peter B. Barr said. The Morris' have made a long term commitment to Gilmer County and Glenville State College. President Barr said their dedication is unwavering.
Morris kicked off the Waco Center project in early 2008 with a $5-millon gift, starting a fundraising drive to build the facility. Funding was subsequently secured by a combination of state moneys and donations. Site preparation began in the early fall of 2011.
The final stage of work there currently is completing interior work in a 10,000 square foot area on the east side of the structure to serve as the new home for Minnie-Hamilton Health System,
currently located in Glenville at 809 Mineral Road. Minnie-Hamilton's relocation is expected mid-summer.
Additional improvements and main campus remodeling:
GSC's Land Resources program relocated to the east side of the Waco Center last year, doubling the previous classroom and lab areas at its former longtime home, Eberly Hall, which has since been razed.
Following graduation the athletic department is permanently vacating the Jesse R. Lilly Gymnasium on the main campus. Football coaches and staff offices will be at the football field in the new addition of the field house, completed last year.
Athletic administrative offices, coaches, and staff are moving to the Waco Center. Television production and radio station equipment will be housed there as well, leaving its present Mollohan Center home.
Extensive remodeling is planned for the Lilly Gym and may include a welcome center for recruiting. Project dates haven't been finalized; some plans are pending final approval.
The improvements at the Lilly Gym are to centralize all student or community centered fitness opportunities under one roof. This includes student and public fitness and exercise equipment,
yoga and exercise classes, all intramural sports, as well as the High Adventure program.
Waco Center Epilogue:
An informal celebration and dinner Friday evening marked the opening of the Waco Center
gymnasium.
Before a brief ribbon cutting ceremony, a life size bronze statue of Glenville State College's
mascot, the pioneer, was unveiled donated to the school by Betsy Barr, wife of the college's
president. Elevated three feet on a decorative base in the center of a two story atrium, it greets
all who enter the Waco Center.
In addition to Ike and Sue Morris' generosity and support, President Barr said the project was
dependent on many other players as well. Chief among those are the donations and gifts
from alumni and the public. In addition, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
and the State of West Virginia worked closely with President Barr and Glenville State
College's Board of Governors to insure a bonding bill was approved.
The formal name of the gym itself is "McPherson Court," named in honor of Mary Lee and
the late Tom McPherson, former chairman of the college's board of governor's.
West Virginia state senators and house of delegates members also played a key role, as did
the governor and other state officials.
President Barr noted that had buildings and maintenance supervisor Tom Ratliff not been
the project manager of the Waco Center he's certain everything wouldn't have gone as
smoothly as it did. "He held the line on costs and construction deadlines," the president said.
In the past eight years Glenville State College has completed a total renovation of the
Science building including up to date lab and testing equipment. Former Congressman
Alan B. Mollohan was instrumental in securing $10-million for that project, and sizable
NASA grants thereafter.
In 2009 construction began on a $24-million dormitory to house approximately 500 students. It was completed in 2011.
BBL Carlton LLC, of Charleston, WV, was the lead contractor on the dorm construction and the Waco Center.
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