The University Guest House, located on upper campus near the Residence Halls, wants to expand its facility with about $9 million, none of which comes at the cost of students.
A feasibility study was completed in June to determine how much an expansion would cost. A budget of no more than $10 million was predicted for the additions to the only hotel on campus, said Perry Hacker, director of the U Guest House. Specifically, the project would probably cost about $9 million, including interior costs and renovations, he said.
“It’s hard to pin down the exact cost because the feasibility study was done with higher numbers when the economic downturn was at its peak,” Hacker said.
The project would be self-funded and would be paid back through revenue generated by the U Guest House, Hacker said.
The plans are waiting approval by the building board at a meeting this week. If approved, the Utah Legislature would then vote on whether to issue a bond to fund the project, Hacker said.
“We are looking to move forward in March of 2010,” Hacker said.
An estimated 51 new guest rooms and a large meeting space would be added to the Guest House. Construction crews would modify the lobby to accommodate the new additions, Hacker said. They would also redo the parking lot to accommodate more guests, an issue that’s been facing the hotel staff.
The U Guest House needs to expand because of how busy it has been, Hacker said.
“Primarily, the hospitals need us,” he said of the University Hospital and Primary Children’s hospitals located to the north of the U Guest House.
Hacker’s department heard from the hospital staff that it would like more space for patients. There are transplant and cancer patients who need to be close by in case there are complications with their treatments, Hacker said.
Families of patients who are staying at the hospital also want and need to be close by, Hacker said.
“Extra rooms would help us accommodate those families,” Hacker said. “And extra rooms means more money for the Guest House.”
The Guest House staff wants to supply more space because it keeps the money on the U campus, which goes back to help the students, Hacker said.
Although the plans still need to be approved by the U’s building board, a go-ahead from the board does not necessarily mean the expansion will happen right away.
“We want to get approval because it sets in motion the groundwork for our plans,” Hacker said.
Hacker and his department will meet with the board Dec. 2. If the board approves the expansion, the plans will be reviewed and voted on by the Legislature.