Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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of temple There ' s a buzz in the air. Everyone on every street corner is talking about it. It has been the talk of the town. Billboards on trains and buses have alerted us to its arrival. It represents the advent of a new era in Temple history. Every owl knows its name: The Apollo of Temple. One might ask, What is the Apollo of Temple? To be sure, it is a monolith. It is larg- er than one might think. The four building project consists of a convocation center, a student recreation center, a community center, a new 1200 space garage and the remodeling of Vivaqua Hall (formerly Seltzer Hall). The Forum is the arena portion of the Apollo. Although Temple will primarily utilize the Apollo, others will make use of its resources. We ' re trying to make it more of a regional attraction. ..we ' re trying to provide enter- tainment which may not be available to everyone right now, says Beth A. Lindquist, the Executive Director of the Apollo. In October, the Apollo hosted the Beaux Arts Ball. Every year the Foundation for Architecture chooses a site that is either under construction or restoration. Although the Forum holds a crowd of 10,000 (plus), it retains an intimate atmosphere. [ here isn ' t a bad seat in a house. And if that isn ' t enough, the Apollo is armed with the latest stadium technology. In early December 1997, (he Forum opened Us doors to the first home basketball game. Opening night was spectacular, complete with fireworks and a sell out — a mere 10,206 tans in attend. in; e Besides Temple athletics, the Forum serves as hosl to I he Rage. Philadelphia ' s profes- sional women ' s basketball team. In the future, there are plans in the works to present profes- sional boxing. The Forum does not only serve as a Sports arena but as a venue tor concerts, comedians. and even the i in us I rom . s pel choirs to jazz ensembles, there are events on the bill to satisi everyone ' s palate. In the past artists wrestled with the dilemma t finding a center which would aCCOm-

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modate the right number of peo ple. The Forum in just the right size and it offers a spectacular theater in the round set-up. To satisfy the cry for more recreation space by students, the Independent Blue Cross Recreation Center was built. Temple now as an exclusive recreational facility with state of the art equipment including larger aerobics and martial arts rooms, racquetball and volleyball courts, and an indoor track. Located directly above the Forum, the indoor track offers runners and walkers a panoramic view of the city. In April the ground was broken for The Entertainment and Community Education Center which is a three-story Headhouse, housing a jazz club and restaurant, community educational programs for youth and elderly area residents, and other University activities. Coupled with other improvements, the Apollo helps to push Temple In Transit into a new era. - Benjamin Hassell