JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - The construction of a $14 million residence hall complex and a field house at Missouri Southern State University are set to be completed this summer.
The Joplin Globe (http://bit.ly/1PMUevB) reports that the complex, composed of six three-story buildings, will increase the school's available housing to about 900 units. It will house 200 students in 51 apartments and is scheduled to be finished by June 1. Each apartment will have a common area, washer and dryer and a full kitchen. Most of the apartments will have four bedrooms.
The dorm also will feature a Federal Emergency Management Agency storm shelter that can hold up to 2,000 people.
According to Ron Mitchell, dean of students, this is the university's first dormitory project in 15 years.
"We will now be able to keep our dorms open year-round," Mitchell said.
A field house with offices for the school's baseball, softball and football coaching staffs is also near completion. It features locker rooms and a rehabilitation room for football players.
According to Jared Bruggeman, athletics director at the university, the field house lobby will have a sports hall of fame and a ticket booth. The field house will also be connected to an elevated terrace that overlooks the football field.
The $9 million, 40,000-square-foot building is expected to be finished by the end of July.