Twenty-two points, plus triple-word-score, plus fifty points for using all my letters. Game’s over. I’m outta here.STORE_7/10_n/s-s/l

Completion scheduled for August 2003

The Recreation Center is preparing for the construction of a new store inside the facility.

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The store will be constructed and managed by Kennedy Bookstore Inc., while the Recreation Center will receive a percentage of sales profits in addition to a guaranteed set payment.

Construction of the 900-square-foot store is scheduled to begin within the next 10 days and will be completed by Aug. 1, 2003, said Randy Johnson of Kennedy Bookstore Inc. The cost of the building project is estimated at $100,000.

While construction is in progress, the Recreation Center will be open for operation and programs will run as scheduled.

“We’re not going to miss a beat as far as operation of the facility,” said Bill McMinn, director of the Recreation Center. “There will be certain times where there will be dirt, dust and noise intrusion. We will ask our patrons to bear with us through the process. It will be worth the wait.”

Kennedy Bookstore Inc., the parent company of 710 Bookstore, went through the bid process and was approved for the Request for Proposal in January, Johnson said.

Kennedy will build, run and supply the store in coordination with input from the Recreation Center, which, along with receiving a percentage of sales and guaranteed set payment, will retain the store structure.

“It’s not like we can hook the store onto a trailer and tow it away when business is over,” Johnson said. “The structure will be permanent. It can’t be taken away.”

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While the store is still trying to define the initial product line, it will sell sporting apparel, food and drinks.

“I think the customers will dictate future inventories,” McMinn said.

Johnson said that Adidas and Speedo would be two of the primary product lines.

McMinn conceptualized the idea for the store six years ago and is pleased that it will finally become a reality.

“A number of issues had to be overcome to reach this goal,” McMinn said. “This is something that has never been done. Overall, the administration is very pleased with the result.

McMinn began working at the Recreation Center in 1982 and has seen many changes and improvements that he credits to the employees.

“Ever since the doors opened in 1977, we have always looked for opportunities to improve services, programs and facilities,” McMinn said. “We are the largest employer of students on campus, and everyone has always had an attitude of making things better.”