UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1898 [PAGE 185]

Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1898
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1897.]

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

185

vestigated the subject and have come to the conclusion that the wisest course to take will be 1to remove the wood sho1?- from the ^.ppr.';* f3r>or of the old iueclinical building and place it in conjunction with the repair shop on the south side of the lower floor of that building, extending it into the room at present occupied by the engines and boilers of the mechanical engineering department, which can be removed by the time the new central heating plant is completed. It would be necessary to contract the space used for the testing laboratory, but this again would be to some extent made good by removing the wide stairway which extendsT from the outer north side of the building to the second story. Then we w ould have the entire second floor for a gymnasium. It is spacious and not badly adapted to such use. Lockers and bathing accommodations could be installed in the tower rooms, of which there are four, and also in the space between them on the north side. In this way we would secure the best provision for athletic wrork that 1 believe can be secured within the limits of our special appropriation. I am advised by our architectual department that the changes 1 have suggested can be carried out, and machinery re-installed as may be necessary, within the limits fixed by the appropriation. It is in my judgment of the highest importance that this matter have early and decisive action, as it is of more consequence that the entire number of students shall have accomodations for physical exercise than that a few shall be trained for team work and intercollegiate games.

A. S. DRAPER,

President. T h e following resolution, offered b y Mr. M c L e a n , was a d o p t e d : Eesolved, That the recommendations of President Draper with reference to using the old Military Hall as a gymnasium be adopted, and that the Committee on Buildings and Grounds be, and hereby is, instructed to make the necessary improvements, using therefor the $3,000.00 appropriated for this .purpose by the General Assembly at its last session. . T h i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n was s u b s e q u e n t l y increased b y an a s s i g n m e n t of $1,000.00 from t h e general fund.

ILLINOIS F I E J ^ D .

To the Board of Trustees. Matters at Illinois Field are in an unsatisfactory situation. The fence is unsightly and so far decayed as to be practically beyond repair. It is insisted by the athletic authorities that the grounds are not large enough. They are especially anxious to secure a running track a third of a mile in length and wider than the present one. The needs of our own students in this connection are continuous and urgent in the fall and spring terms, and the unfortunate conditions have prevented the use of these grounds for the annual Interscholastic Athletic Meet, which is an occurrence of considerable moment to the University. It seems to me advisable, moreover, that the open ground which we own north of Illinois Field should be enclosed with it, and be better cared for than it has been. Under all the circumstances, I recommend that the Committee on Buildings and Grounds be requested to make such changes and improvements at Illinois Field in the directions indicated as may seem desirable, and that the sum of $2,500.00 be appropriated for the purpose.

A. S. DRAPER,

President. After some discussion, further consideration of i m p r o v e m e n t s at Illinois Field was p o s t p o n e d to t h e M a r c h meeting of t h e Board.