Construction is scheduled to begin this spring on a new university facility that will house a Bulldog souvenir store, a clock museum and a creamery, among other venues.
The Cullis Wade Center, also known as the Bully Center, will be named for donors Cullis and Gladys Wade of Bogalusa, La. It will be constructed near the southwest corner of Davis Wade Stadium.
The facility is included in a larger spectrum of university developments to be carried out over the next two decades known as the “Twenty Year Plan.” The developments consist of improvements to campus streets, the university’s transportation system, landscaping and numerous other enhancements.
Athletic Director Larry Templeton said the Bully Center would also serve as a welcome and information center for visitors to the football games.
“This is a continuation of us trying to develop our streets and our ability to get visitors information,” Templeton said.
President Charles Lee said building the center near the stadium and the street would help alleviate some of the campus traffic during home games.
“Having something closer to the street would reduce campus congestion and traffic,” Lee said.
Templeton said the structure should take six or seven months to complete.
Another university development being considered is the implementation of a “loop” road around campus.
Though the project is still in its planning phase, Faculty Senate President Walter Diehl said the road would be constructed as a loop around the entire campus. It would force traffic to flow around the campus instead of through it.
One improvement already in the works to enhance campus access is the conversion of the former police station into a parking lot. It is not clear yet whether the new lot will be used for staff or student parking.
More additions and upgrades to campus will occur as the “Twenty Year Plan” is executed.
Although the plan doesn’t contain specific information about how developments will be carried out, Diehl said it will be used as a guideline for future goals in improving the campus.