The proposed $73 million Recreation, Wellness and Events Center is steadily making its way to the finish line.

On Monday a committee called Request for Qualification reviewed various architects’ makeup proposals for the RWEC, the key in making Sac State a flagship campus and that will “make Sac State the university of choice,” said University Union Director Leslie Davis.

The Request for Qualification committee is made up of eight members, including a Sac State student, faculty and consultants.

The eight-member panel reviewed Monday’s submissions and a final decision is expected in early March with President Alexander Gonzalez having the final say, Davis said.

The ground breaking for the RWEC is planned for late 2006 with its opening slated for June 2008, possibly concurrently with the opening of the track and field olympic trials, Davis said.

The new facility is set to include state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a basketball gym able to accommodate 6,500-8,000 spectators, a bowling alley, theatre and swimming pools .

“The goal is to have a fantastic facility,” Davis said. “We believe this to be one of the hottest projects in the country, as far as schools.”

The key number for this project is $25 million: it’s when construction can commence, and it’s when student fees will increase $99-150.

The $25 million figure is also critical because that is how much Gonzalez initially promised to raise through private donations.

So far, Gonzalez has nearly half of his first goal with a $10 million donation made by businessman Alexander Spanos, and besides that, any other significant donations are anonymous, said University Union associate director Donald Tucker.

“He hopes he had the money now. But, he has to take it one step at a time in terms of working with potential donors. He calls it ‘friend raising comes before fund raising,'” Davis said.

Davis said that Sac State has looked at UC Davis’ Activities and Recreation Center that just opened last April.

Other facilities that have been surveyed are the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, Aztec Center at San Diego State and a facility at Sonoma State.

“Everyone pretty much has a vision of what they want to see,” Davis said. “Can we afford what we’ve envisioned?”