THE LOOK OF THE NEW ALEXANDER MEMORIAL BUILDING WHICH WILL COST LESS THAN $ 1 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 AND SEAT 7 0 0 0
THE ALEXANDER MEMORIAL
The devotion of a small group of men and contributions of many make possible the Physical Training Center envisioned by Alex
/"* OACH ALEX'S dream was set on the last
^ lap of the road to actuality on April 23. On that date President Van Leer announced that the contract for the construction of the Alexander Memorial Building (to be named the Alexander Physical Training Center) was signed with the Mion Construction Company of Atlanta. In his announcement, President Van Leer said, "This is a dream that has come true after years of heartbreaking decays and disappointments. Only the steadfastness and devotion to the memory of Coach Alexander by the members of the Alexander Memorial Trustees and the generous contributions of hundreds of alumni and friends have made possible the final success." Clearing of the site (now set in the area bounded on the south by Eighth St., on the north by 10th St., on the west by
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Fowler St. and on the east by the expressway) began on April 25. Official groundbreaking ceremonies were held on May 9. It's expected that the center will be ready for occupancy within 15 to 18 months, which means that Tech's cagers will spend another season in the old Tech gym. The new center will cost $1,500,000 and seat 7000, as well as provide other physical education facilities. As the rendering shows, it is actually two buildings joined together by a concourse. The main building will be a huge dome-shaped affair supported by a series of steel girders running from the ground to the peak of the dome. There will be no obstructing posts in the entire area, and the bulk of the structure will be underground. The adjoining building, a three-story rectangular affair, will house facilities for physical training, including a practice
gym and lockers. Its top floor will be occupied by Tech's radio station, WGST. whose rental will go a long way towards carrying the maintenance costs. This center was decided upon as the one that best fit the requirements set down by Coach Alex within the limits of the funds available. The price on the original building selected ballooned from 2V% million to $4 million when the Korean conflict came along. And the committee composed of J. J. McDonough. chairman; Bobby Dodd, vice- chairman and Robert Wilby, R. L. MacDougali. John O. Chiles and Walter Mitchell, decided that a building must be built to keep faith with Coach Alex's memorv. With the $980,000 cash on hand and $560,000 in unpaid pledges, the funds for this center were in sight. The committee decided to go on with the construction. It is anticipated that the unpaid pledges will be paid and a committee headed by Jack McDonough is at work on this project. The committees have kept faith, and Coach Alex's dream will be realized. Bui until all of the money is in, there is still work to be done.
Tech Alumnus