Board of Regents approve UI projects

Hunter
11/12/22

The state Board of Regents approved a handful of requests from the University of Iowa at their meeting this week.

As previously reported on KCJJ, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics requested $16 million to upgrade its main campus. $8 million will be used to convert the second level of the south wing into 13 inpatient rooms to address capacity issues at the hospital. The other requested money will be used to build a new opthalmology simulation lab on a lower level of Parking Ramp 4 and to modernize an elevator bank at the UIHC. The Board fully granted that request.

The Board of Regents also approved a $5.8 million request to renovate the University of Iowa’s west recreation fields. They include 12 natural grass fields that are used primarily for intramural sports such as flag football, ultimate frisbee, soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball. The money will be used to convert six fields to synthetic turf, replace perimeter fencing, and add new storm drainage systems.

A $4.7 million renovation project was approved for Burge Hall by the Regents Thursday. The Daily Iowan reports the project includes updating student rooms, corridors, and stairwells on all five floors of the building. The construction will take place over the next three summers to minimize resident inconvenience.

Finally, the Regents approved the naming of the new wrestling facility on campus to honor the major donors for the project. The University of Iowa Goschke Family Wrestling Training Center will be named after Doug and Ann Goschke, who committed $7 milllion to help fund the construction of the new facility. It is due to be completed in 2024.