The state Board of Regents has recommended approving the University of Iowa’s request to proceed with planning on a project in the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center and for schematic designs, project descriptions, and budgets for three projects at the UI Hospitals & Clinics.

The recreation project will replace the seven air-handling units that control humidity in the main and leisure pool areas. The PoolPak air units will be replaced because the current units are unreliable and deteriorating, officials say.

There have been significant issues with the air units since the opening of the center in 2010, and the UI says staff and contractors have had difficulty acquiring or modifying parts for the units.

The air units will be replaced one at a time in order for the main and leisure pools to remain open during construction.

The project has an estimate budget of $5 million to $6 million and will be funded by Recreation Renewal and Replacement Funds and Athletics Department gifts and income, officials said.

The three UIHC projects include expansion of infusion space in the Pomerantz Family Pavilion, modification of on-site central sterilization services, and replacing the flooring on the first floor of the Carver Pavilion.

The infusion expansion will renovate the fourth floor of the pavilion, creating 12 new cancer infusion chairs/beds and support spaces, including: a nurse’s station, restrooms, reception, housekeeping, and a staff lounge.

“A need for these cancer infusion beds is increasing with the aging population and increase [of] cancer incidents,” said Rod Lehnertz, the UI senior vice president for Finance and Operations. “It’s something that has been needed for some time and will advance the care of our patients at UIHC.”

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The work will include demolishing the current space, building a new space, installing the medical equipment, and upgrading and enhancing current systems. The proposed budget for the project is $3.5 million, and UI officials plan construction to begin in this fall.

The modification of on-site sterilization services will renovate six sterilization facilities located in the Pappajohn Pavilion, Colloton Pavilion, Pomerantz Pavilion, Shipping & Receiving Facility, South Wing, and Stead Children’s Hospital.

The project is in response to the $31.5 million Development of Off-Site Central Sterilization Services-Construct Facility that was approved by the regents in September 2018. UI officials said crews will make a variety of minor renovations to the locations. The proposed budget for the project is $2.4 million, and officials plan the construction to begin in the summer of 2020.

The flooring replacement in the Carver Pavilion will replace the carpet with a hard surface, and the entrance of the building will include a glass lobby. The new flooring and lobby will be a way reduce contaminants and support infection control, officials say.

The proposed budget for the project is $3.2 million, and the UI plans for construction to begin this fall.