The Pyramid stands loud and proud at CSULB

Icon • Used for television, movie productions, sporting events, home to Frog's gym, and more the Pyramid has been a visible icon on campus for 10 years.

 

By Bryan Howell
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

Since opening its doors 10 years ago, The Pyramid has become one of the most recognizable structures on campus, serving as a backdrop for Cal State Long Beach students.

After nearly 20 years of planning and building, on Nov. 3, 1994, The Pyramid opened and the Daily Forty-Niner covered the festivities of that momentous day. Former Daily Forty-Niner writer Ahmed V. Ortiz wrote that the opening of The Pyramid was "to be a milestone in CSULB history."

Designed by Don Gibbs, a CSULB alumnus, and built by the Nielsen Company of San Diego, the $22 million facility was not only a milestone, but the creation of a symbol representing CSULB.

"I couldn't imagine the campus without it," said Mike McCanne, a CSULB senior. "I can still remember when I was a freshman seeing The Pyramid for the first time and being in awe. I had never seen anything like it."

On Nov. 12, 1998 the Daily Forty-Niner covered the four-year anniversary of The Pyramid. CSULB President Robert Maxson described The Pyramid sports facility as, "modern and bold." With a seating capacity of 5,000 and enough beechwood floor space for five volleyball courts and three full basketball courts, The Pyramid has become the ideal home for CSULB's division one volleyball and basketball teams.

Serving as more than a sports facility, over the past 10 years, The Pyramid has attracted and hosted many non-CSULB events. This has not only generated income, but controversy as well. In 1996 the Daily Forty-Niner covered a story in which The Pyramid was frequently being rented for television and movie productions and at times displacing students who had classes in The Pyramid.

Former writer for the Daily Forty-Niner, Michele Luderer, reported that although The Pyramid was rented out, the scheduled classes were easily relocated and the movie productions brought recognition and income to our campus. It was also noted that the facility had been involved with more meaningful causes such as the Special Olympics and housing The Pointe, an education conference.

In October 2001, The Pyramid was involved in more controversy in a Daily Forty-Niner article. The issue also involved events at The Pyramid except the problem was noise complaints from neighbors. The sports events and concerts held in The Pyramid were drawing large crowds and creating traffic and noise, thus disturbing the neighbors of the campus. This story presented a minor controversy, but all of the noise complaints were immediately handled by campus police and the necessary adjustments were made.

The Pyramid is also home to Frog's Gym, a health club that has been open to students and the public since 1995. In 2002, Daily Forty-Niner writer, Lyndsey Shinoda, reported that Frog's had over 3,000 members and offers a variety of aerobic classes like Pilates as well as standard gym equipment to keep the student body in shape.

"Having a gym on campus is great for me because it saves me a lot of time. The discount to students and conveinence is really nice," said senior, Elizabeth Cousa.