Thursday, February 14, 2008

Topping Off Ceremony Signifies “Critical Spot in Construction Project”


Florida A&M University (FAMU) President James H. Ammons along with members of FAMU’s Board of Trustees, Turner Construction, Rooser International, subcontractors and onlookers witnessed the final beam of FAMU’s new teaching gym being raised and put in place on the uncompleted building.

“With this topping off ceremony, we’ll hoists the last beam into position of this structure, signifying a critical spot in the construction project,” Ammons said. “Members of the Board of Trustees and this administration have signed that beam to demonstrate our support and partnerships, as ratifying the construction of the teaching gym was the first official act of this administration.”

The new four-floored facility will be the new home to FAMU’s physical education department and Rattler basketball team, and is scheduled to be completed by February 2009. It will feature sports training and physical education training areas, a hydrotherapy pool, concession stands and ticket booths, interactive learning classrooms, athletic and physical education offices, an indoor track and an arena that will seat more than nine thousand.

David Reaves, vice president for operations management at Turner Construction, expressed his sentiments towards the project.

“Turner is very proud to be a partner with FAMU in the building of this exciting project that will be a landmark to the University in years to come,” he said. “Go Rattlers!”

According to Ammons the teaching gym will serve as modern teaching classroom for FAMU’s physical education program, not to mention provide a significant venue for attracting concerts, commencements and other entertainment that FAMU has not been able to accommodate in the past.

Donald Palm, associate vice president for academic affairs, representing FAMU provost and vice president of academic affairs, Cynthia Hughes Harris, said that with the addition of the new teaching gym they are certain research projects will be devised that will allow for future innovations in FAMU’s teaching.

“On behalf on the Division of Academic Affairs and the Department of Physical Education, we look forward to the instruction that will occur in this facility,” Palm said. “We are excited by the progress thus far and we look forward to the ribbon cutting and the first day of classes.”

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