Sing Song visitors and participants are perhaps unknowingly reaping the benefits of a decision earlier this year to delay construction of the new Student Recreational and Wellness Center until after Sing Song.

Construction and remodeling of the Gibson Health and P.E. Center was delayed until the Monday after Sing Song, with the entire process scheduled to take16 months. Morgan Johnson, sophomore marketing major from Rowlett, is a video switcher and lighting technician for Sing Song. Johnson believes the university’s decision to delay construction will make the weekend much more enjoyable.

“Delaying construction of the new rec center really was a smart move,” Johnson said. “The fact that you would have loud equipment outside would hurt.”

Johnson also said he believes a work zone could have scared away Sing Song guests. Attendance should not be a problem, though; Sing Song Director Tom Craig anticipates more than 8,000 guests.

Construction would have altered the program, as well. The double gyms inside the Gibson Center traditionally serve as the warm-up room for acts next in line to appear on stage, but they would have been unavailable in the event of construction. Sing Song host Wade Huggins, senior Bible major from Abilene, said the gyms would have been missed.

“The double gyms are historical for Sing Song,” Huggins said. “During the performance, the gyms are a great place to be. I don’t know what they’re going to do next year.”

Sing Song performers are thankful they don’t have to deal with the headaches that would have come with construction. Tyler Lewis, senior finance major from Houston, is in the Gamma Sigma Phi act this year and can’t imagine the mess that would have arisen from the combination of a work zone and Sing Song.

“Logistically, it would be a nightmare,” Lewis said. “Without the Gibson gyms, there would be nowhere for people to go. It’s freezing outside, and those props won’t fit through the doors anyway.”