“Back to school” means much more than buying books and school supplies. While our students are making preparations to move to campus and begin classes, those of us who are here year-round are gearing up behind the scenes for a new school year. I’ll be blogging for the next few weeks about some of the ways our Bradley staff is preparing for the 2009-10 academic year.

It may be July, but LeRoy Neilson, our utilities supervisor, is looking past fall and thinking about keeping our students and faculty-staff warm this winter. Those cold days are still months away, but LeRoy is making sure our newly installed boilers are in tip-top shape as he oversees the start-up process for our new boiler plant. The $1 million plant is located beneath the new parking deck along Main Street.

Three immense boilers that hold approximately 4,500 gallons and a “small” 2,000-gallon boiler for our steam heating system were installed late last year. These bright blue boilers replace the old ones we have in Holmes Hall. Two of the large boilers are capable of generating 60,000 pounds of steam per hour. That will heat the entire campus on the coldest winter days. The third large boiler is a back-up.The small one can generate 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of steam per hour and is sized for the summer load, which includes heated domestic water and dehumidification.

The start-up process involves testing and tuning up the boilers to make sure everything is working properly before turning them on. The boilers will be filled with city water, which must be softened and purified to reduce the residue left behind after the water is steamed. He compares it to a tea kettle in which the residue from the water remains in the pot after the water has boiled.

We often taking heating for granted, but this winter, remember all the preparations that went into making sure each of us is comfortable.

The workers building our new Athletic Performance Center (APC) and Men’s Basketball Practice Facility must have a motto similar to the one attributed to letter carriers: “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Despite icy wind, cold temperatures, snow, and fog, the APC construction site is bustling with activity today. Builders wrapped in thick layers can be seen working away.

This is going to be a beautiful facility and a grand addition to Main Street. Replacing Robertson Memorial Field House, the APC will provide a wonderful performance arena for the entire campus and a home court for our women’s basketball and volleyball teams. I know they will be so happy to once again have a permanent “home” on campus when this building opens in 2010.

The men’s basketball team will also be thrilled to have their own practice and meeting space.

The improved facilities will enhance the efforts of these already wonderful athletic teams.

The Markin Family Student Recreation Center is getting a good dose of what we used to call “spit and polish” so it will sparkle and shine for the grand opening this Thursday, October 23, at 10:30 a.m.

I can’t wait to hear the oohs and aahs from the students as they step into this enormous, first-rate facility, where they can socialize, jog, swim, climb, exercise, and shoot some hoops.

The demolition of the Field House continues to provide some fascinating images. I like this one as it shows the unique structure. The red crane in the background is helping with the construction of the new parking deck.

We’ve all known this day was coming, but to actually feel the earth shaking from the demolition equipment and see the dust floating up to the sky means it’s finally here. Demolition of the Field House began today. I have always known what a unique venue the Field House was. Constructed from two World War II-era airplane hangers, it had a distinct roof line and even more distinct acoustics. Many a visiting team has left the Field House with their ears ringing from the roar of the enthusiastic Bradley fans.

As people became aware that it would be torn down this spring, I learned how intensely the entire Peoria community and alums from all over the country feel about this place. Many people wrote in to provide reminiscences for special sections in Hilltopics and the Peoria Journal Star. Clearly, the Field House has provided lasting memories for generations of students and people in central Illinois.

As we say goodbye, we look forward to the construction of two wonderful new facilities to take its place—the Athletic Performance Center and the Men’s Basketball Practice Facility. The APC will provide a site for concerts, convocations, and women’s basketball and volleyball games. The Practice Facility will bring a new era for men’s basketball. This dedicated center will provide the team with all the resources it needs to continue to succeed and recruit great players.