Texas A&M University Interim President R. Bowen Loftin has requested an independent safety analysis of the McFerrin Athletic Center.
The company that built the $35.6 million center, Summit Structures LLC, of Allentown, Pa., has had five facilities collapse in the past seven years, most notably the Dallas Cowboys' indoor practice facility, which injured 12 people when it collapsed in a windstorm in May.
Jason Cook, vice president for marketing and communications, said there have been some ongoing questions regarding the facility, and Loftin wanted some additional data and information on the structure.
"He wanted to make sure we had the best information possible given the circumstances," Cook said.
The building meets campus construction standards, and has withstood several events, including Hurricane Ike.
"We don't have specific safety concerns," Cook said, "but given that the facility is used heavily by athletes, students and guests we always want to err on the side of caution."
The 191,000-square-foot complex is the home of an indoor football practice facility and an indoor track where the men's and women's track teams compete.
Cook said the University is searching for an individual who has experience with the center's structure type, and that the search and analysis are going to be done expeditiously.
Kalee Bumguardner,
editor in chief
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