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Posted 12-10-99
Tinkham Veale II has extended his support for athletic facilities on the campus of Case Western Reserve University with a $3.1 million commitment to support improvements to the natatorium in the Emerson Physical Education Center.
The Veale Natatorium project will increase the pool area's seating capacity to 840, develop a more direct and inviting entrance for spectators at swimming events, and blend the Emerson facade with that of the Veale Convocation, Recreation, and Athletic Center.
"Athletics play an important role in the lives of our students and in the spirit of this University," said President David Auston. "Tink Veale's continuing support of our athletic facilities will benefit the University for years to come."
The pool area currently has 150 seats -- enough to accommodate the swimmers, coaches, and trainers for up to two other schools at a competition, but leaving little seating for spectators.
The new seating will enable CWRU to host conference championships. CWRU is part of the University Athletic Association, composed of nine of the nation's leading private research universities. Among member institutions are Brandeis, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, and New York Universities.
The expanded natatorium seating "is designed very carefully to give good sight lines to the pool wherever you sit," said Kenneth Kutina, vice president for institutional planning.
Jerry Payto, the principal of Cleveland's Payto Architects, developed the project's design. He also designed the improved facade for the Veale Center Parking Tower (Lot 53), and the One-to-One Fitness Center.
To make room for the new seating, the design calls for raising the roof, and extending the seating slightly into an area of the upper level of the natatorium building, where a storage room currently exists.
After the new seats are installed, expanded storage space will be available underneath the bleachers. There will be a skylight over the seats.
"I think it really is a brilliant piece of design work," Kutina said. "It originally looked like a nearly impossible job without a major addition to the pool area itself."
The natatorium project will allow swimming spectators to walk directly from the Veale Center lobby to the pool area. Currently they must walk to Emerson's far corner, descend a set of stairs, and travel the full length of the building at the basement level to reach the pool entrance.
A new walkway to the natatorium will have a second floor which will create space for a 3,100-square-foot cardiovascular fitness room. This space will allow centralizing cardiovascular workout equipment which is currently scattered throughout Emerson and the Veale Center.
"The exercise facility will be a big asset to students, faculty, and staff," said David Hutter, director of physical education and athletics. "They will have an opportunity to exercise with state-of-the-art equipment."
Veale's gift will support the purchase of approximately 50 new pieces of equipment for aerobic workouts, including stair-climbing, rowing, and treadmill machines, plus stationary bicycles.
The project is slated to begin in March, when the varsity swimming season ends.
Installation of the new natatorium seating must be completed by August, when the pool will be needed for varsity and intramural teams, as well as for physical education classes.
Construction of the walkway, two-story lobby atrium, and cardiovascular workout room is expected to continue through late 2000, he added.
The Krill Company has been selected as construction manager.
The $3.1 million commitment is the project's sole funding source, from the natatorium renovation to the purchase of the new exercise equipment.
"Tink Veale is very fond of the University and its leadership," said James Conway, associate vice president for development, who has worked with the Veale family for more than a decade.
"I think Mr. Veale senses and understands the contribution to the development of teamwork, cooperation, and perseverance from the athletic experience that carry over into the world of work," Hutter said.
Veale received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Case School of Applied Science in 1937. As a student, Veale participated in both football and basketball, and earned three letters in basketball. He is a lifetime member of the Case Reserve Athletic Club (CRAC), received CRAC's first-ever Olympian Award in 1997, and was inducted into the CRAC Hall of Fame in October.
"Veale's past support shows his commitment to and interest in the University," Conway said.
With his family, Veale has contributed more than half of the $10 million cost of planning and constructing the Veale Center, which opened in fall 1997 and was formally dedicated in April 1998.
The 78,000-square-foot facility is the largest unobstructed indoor space on campus. The Veale Center has a six-lane, 2,000-meter indoor track suitable for intercollegiate competition and synthetic-surface, all-purpose courts that can be used for basketball, volleyball, and tennis. The multipurpose rooms are used daily for aerobic exercise and dance programs.
The Veale Center has served as the location for the University's annual Commencement Convocation since May 1997. It also was the site for a farewell gathering for President Emeritus Agnar Pytte, and for the inauguration of President David Auston.
Veale also supported a $1.2 million enhancement of the 1,050-car Lot 53 garage a year ago. The gift funded installation of an elevator at the garage's west end, as well as enhancement of the garage facade facing Van Horn Field through the installation of aluminum grillwork and new bricks and stone to complement those on the Veale Center. Veale also has made annual gifts to support other University initiatives, Conway noted.
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