Space Report To Call for Major MAC Overhaul

A report that will likely lead to a $30 million renovation of the Malkin Athletic Center (MAC) is finally slated to be submitted in the next two weeks to Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles.

The analysis of recreational and athletic space controlled by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)—commissioned last year and originally expected on Knowles’ desk last fall—has essentially been completed by consultants at HNTB Corp., a space planning firm, according to FAS Director of Physical Resources Michael N. Lichten.

Lichten said the report is in draft form as HNTB works to finish the final text.

“All the data crunching and analysis is done,” he said.

The report outlines four options for increasing recreational space, according to Richard Friedson, the head HNTB architect on the project—each of which involves renovation of the MAC.

If Knowles chooses to adopt HNTB’s report, students’ and College administrators’ vision of transforming the MAC’s cavernous empty spaces into student group offices and more recreational areas could become a reality.

But renovations will not happen any time soon. The process of analyzing the building’s structure to prepare for renovation—which could not begin until Knowles makes a decision on the survey—would likely take a year, Lichten said.

Lichten also confirmed that administrators still have not found the $30 million that will likely be needed for the renovation, despite efforts begun last spring by Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis ’68 to raise the funds.

Friedson said HNTB conducted its analysis with an eye toward three top priorities set by Harvard: adding more space for recreational athletics, increasing locker room space for women’s varsity athletic teams and maintaining the current amount of field space.

Knowles said he would not comment on the report until it was submitted to his office.

Friedson said the report will give FAS a great deal of flexibility in deciding how it wants to proceed in any future planning. Knowles could pursue one of the four options detailed in the report or adopt pieces from each.

“The College may choose what they like of [the report],” Friedson said. “It’s almost like musical chairs.”

Significant renovation to the MAC will probably necessitate major changes to the University’s athletic complex across the Charles River as well.

To open up space in the MAC, the varsity wrestling, fencing and volleyball teams would have to be moved across the river to join the other varsity sports. Such an option would entail significant alteration to the current athletic facilities already there.

“It’s a complicated problem,” Lewis said last month. “If one were to try to reclaim space by moving any of the varsity sports in the MAC then you would have to find a place for them to go.”

Using currently unoccupied space in the concourse level of Harvard Stadium is currently under consideration, Friedson said.

But since most buildings have been endowed by alumni for specific purposes, renovating them or changing their function may not be possible, Friedson said. He said administrators are currently consulting alumni to determine the extent of flexibility FAS will have in altering athletic buildings.

Knowles originally commissioned the HNTB space analysis and report last year amid unanimous agreement among students and College administrators that the MAC’s facilities were inadequate.

Friedson said he had originally hoped to submit the report last October. Lewis estimated that the report would be released in the winter.

Both deadlines were missed because both HNTB and FAS wanted the report to be as thorough as possible, according to FAS representatives on the survey’s committee.

Lichten also said bringing together the committee to gather data for the survey took time.

“It’s been hard for us,” he said. “Everyone’s busy and we don’t want to rush.”

—Staff writer William M. Rasmussen can be reached at wrasmuss@fas.harvard.edu.