Walter Fieldhouse construction was delayed, in part, due to problems associated with connecting Ohio University steam tunnels to the facility.
A connection between the heat source and the $13 million facility were constructed about five feet off what was outlined in the blueprints and delayed the project by about 10 days, said Harry Wyatt, who was recently appointed to OU’s vice president for architecture, design and construction.
This type of delay isn’t unusual for construction projects, he said, but it’s not yet clear whether OU or one of the contractors working on the project will foot the bill, which could total as much as $25,000.
“It’s easy for us to understand the level of complexity, but a layman would be absolutely amazed with all the lines and how they cross each other,” Wyatt said.
“It’s a very complex situation for an engineer to grasp. Occasionally we will run into unforeseen conflicts like this.”
The delay was also caused in part by deliberations about the facility’s drop-down netting system and harsh weather.
OU was set to run a steam pressure test at the facility this past Thursday — the results of which have yet to trickle back to Mark Ferguson, OU executive director of campus recreation.
Nonetheless, construction crews will work with fully operational heat in the fieldhouse early this week, Ferguson said.
He also noted that contractors would be doing some work on the facility’s mezzanine and other areas not directly on the field turf while it is being used for Ohio Athletics practices from March 10 to April 12.
“We’re still working out what Athletics’ schedule is going to be,” Ferguson said.
“They’re going to try to continue to do work while they’re in there.”
Construction on the facility’s track and netting system will be finished after Athletics’ month-long practice period, Ferguson said in a previous interview.
Wyatt wasn’t alarmed by the setback, noting that some of the utility lines in the area haven’t been worked on “in some time.”
“Sometimes it’s a sense of discovery when you go underground,” he said.
Student fees totaling $822,000 have been dedicated to the Walter Fieldhouse this academic year despite setbacks that will keep the vast majority of students from using the facility until Fall Semester, according to a previous Post article.
—Sara Jerde contributed to this report.
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This article originally appeared in print under the headline "Construction halted by error"
