been prepared, and is available for use before interested groups. The program for the presentation of SAC-70 as one of the top three capital outlay priorities has been prepared for the Chancellor and Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and will be presented to the Chancellor during fall quarter. A later report dated December 4, 1970 stated that the "case for SAC-70 was presented to the Chancellor of the University System on November 30." Any resemblance to a well organized and executed military maneuver is more than coincidental. T H E "ULTIMATE FACILITY" to meet needs of the future in such a way as to put Tech among the leaders, or at least in the running, in student athletic facilities would cost $14 million on the basis of present-day prices. I t would be the most costly single structure ever erected at Georgia Tech. I t would consist of administrative areas including offices, lounges, storage and such; an indoor/outdoor convertible pool house; a main gymnasium with indoor track, basketball, volleyball and badminton facilities; handball, gymnastics, wrestling, weight, archery/rifle, golf driving/batting cages, and steam and sauna facilities; locker, shower, and dressing areas; all indoors. In addition, outdoor facilities would include 4 large area fields and 18 tennis courts. A bio-engineering laboratory would enable the Life Sciences Division to assess and evaluate the physical conditioning of the student, and would be equipped to allow physiological measurements for research purposes. The proposed facility pictured in the illustrations is by no means the final, inflexible configuration of SAC-70; it is merely a projection of the ideal. The facility, situated to the west of Alexander Memorial Coliseum, would be connected with the coliseum by a pedestrian mall. In its very development the present plan would provide a laboratory for the engineering of educational facilities: an external truss would provide an unobstructed ceiling and decorative outside pattern; a synthetic surface over the built-up roof would provide an outdoor play area; the swimming pool would have moveable walls and roof, making it convertible from indoors to outdoors; a plastic film might be used instead of ice for skating. Other innovations might be incorporated as plans progress.
January-February 1971
AGREEMENT ON T H E NEED for SAC-70 is general on the Tech campus. Dr. Carl Biven, professor of industrial management, feels that "the need for a self-contained oasis is immensely important to a university in the center of a large metropolitan area. SAC-70 could be a vehicle for such an atmosphere by bringing the faculty and students together for personal meetings in small groups." He also feels that the thoroughness of approach and completeness of thought exhibited during the initial stages of the project reflect the soundness of the concept and the responsible attitude of its proponents. Dr. Vernon Crawford, VicePresident for Academic Affairs, pointed out that Tech's peacefulness is "especially admirable because there is little opportunity for oncampus recreation; future campus tranquility might well depend upon providing on-campus facilities."
And SAC-70 has important off-campus supporters as well. According to the Finance Committee, "Governor Maddox was so struck by the urgency of the student SAC-70 program t h a t he authorized a grant of some $75,000 out of his emergency-surplus funds earlier this year in order t h a t the SAC-70 program would have an initial phase of funding and might attract other State and outside support for this program." Tangible support for the project must come from state, federal and private funds in order to maintain the present momentum. The keystone of the funding was identified by the Finance Committee: "the most important goal to accomplish before any avenues of aid can be sought is the total commitment of the Board of Regents." In past years Georgia Tech has had to rely heavily on private funds for the building of its athletic facilities; state support is, for that reason, even more vital in this instance to the encouragement of potential donors. But for now SAC-70 is obviously on the move. I t is already an active organization t h a t has accomplished tangible, important results; it is also an ambitious plan to meet future needs with a style befitting Georgia Tech. Its route to full realization is still open to various possibilities, and its precise final configuration might yet be altered. But the need is clearly defined, its value proved. • 13