North Central College gets OK for new dorm and recreation center

North Central College will begin construction this spring on a new residence hall and recreational center.

The Naperville City Council unanimously approved the college's plan for a four-story "green" building that will open during the 2008-09 school year.

"I think you've got an absolutely beautiful looking building and I think it's going to be a tremendous addition to the campus and we appreciate you continuing to invest in the community," Councilman James Boyajian told college officials Tuesday.

The 198,000-square-foot facility will be constructed on the west side of Loomis Street east of the Merner Fieldhouse between the parking deck and Porter Campus Access Road.

It initially will house 265 students and eventually almost 100 more.

The residence hall portion of the building will wrap around a new rec center that includes a 200-meter indoor track, exercise equipment and multipurpose courts.

"It's really going to make a big difference for students and the campus community at North Central College," said Paul Loscheider, vice president of business affairs.

In an effort to lessen traffic, the college will not be adding parking spaces for the building. Instead, it has worked out a deal to use 100 spaces at All Saints Catholic Academy as a remote lot. A shuttle service will take students to and from the college campus.

North Central also is implementing car- and bike-sharing programs and will be monitoring parking occupancy levels. If the strategies are not sufficient, it will have a plan in place to add more parking as soon as possible.

Lessening traffic also fits with its design of the facility as a "green building" with energy-efficient systems and precast walls made up of 40 percent recycled materials.