Three major construction projects ? including a 1,000-space parking structure that will close down part of Parking Lot 4 ? are slated to begin construction next month.

The parking structure and Regional and Continuing Education building, will be on campus. The other, a $5 million renovation to the Aquatic Center, will be at the center?s current Lake Natoma location.

The parking structure will be built over Lot 4, located in front of the University Union, said Facilities Planning Director Ron Richardson. The construction will temporarily eliminate the 250 parking spaces that the lot currently offers, a condition that will not help the parking crunch.

“The construction period is one year. We hope the construction company will finish early, but we don?t know,” Richardson said. The 1,000-space structure will be paid for with parking fees, Richardson said.

Vice President for Administration Ed Del Biaggio said losing the extra spaces could make things more difficult for students this semester.

“During the construction period, that?s going to tighten an already difficult situation concerning parking,” Del Biaggio said.

The Regional and Continuing Education building, planned for the south end of campus, will provide an on-campus presence for the program.

“Right now we are on College Town Drive, we don?t have anything that?s really our home, where people can identify us,” said Kathy Maddox, marketing and promotion director of the Regional and Continuing Education program. “It will serve as an extension of the University for our students. Plans for the building include new computer labs, classrooms and offices. The program serves mostly adult professionals who want to learn new job skills, Maddox said.

Richardson said construction should begin in late October or early November.

Although the program will put the down payment on the project, most of the funds for the construction will come from CSUS Foundation, according to Nancy Pennebaker, special assistant to the executive director of new facilities.

The Foundation would in essence be landlord of the property, Maddox said.”(The) Foundation will end up being the owners of the building, we will be the tenants,” Maddox said.

The Aquatic Center upgrade will take place in two phases, the first of which will bring showers, restrooms and a new administration building to the site, said Director of Development Craig Perez.

“Hopefully it will be used for student organizations, similar to how the Union is used on campus,” Perez said. “I started it (the center) in 1981 with a Port-a-Potty and a hammer and I built the docks. The demand for the facility has grown and we?ve already completely outgrown it.” The second phase will include a second administration building and general improvements.

Improved facilities could do more than just help the students, Perez said. “Last week we had our 15 minute presentation for the Olympic bid. (If the Bay Area is chosen), they would hold the kayaking and rowing events here, which is neat,” Perez said.

All three projects are expected to be finished by early next year, when students can look forward to new services and facilities.

“I think Sac State has really grown up a lot in the last few years, and the success is measured by things like the Aquatic Center, which have really taken off,” Perez said