SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University's trustees and president talked about plans to demolish Gail Rose Lodge and to expand more in Harrisville.

Meeting Friday, SRU trustees voted unanimously to demolish the Gail Rose Lodge that overlooks the football field from a nearby hilltop.

“Engineers came in. They evaluated it, and they said this is really not a safe building,” SRU President William Behre said. “That's the message I received. That's why I agreed to shut it down right now. “

In addition to safety concerns, replacement costs would be too expensive, according to Amir Mohammadi, senior vice president for administration-economic development.

He said the cheapest of the replacement options he saw was $1 million.

“None of those are going to be viable,” Mohammadi said. “We thought it was not prudent on that return of investment.”

Jeff Smith, chairman of the board of trustees, said the building has been in bad condition for a long time. He said most people who enjoyed watching games from there enjoyed the camaraderie. Smith said he thinks people understand the need for the demolition, and they may find a more immersive experience at the fieldside President's Tent.

“I've watched games from up there, and last year I went down to the president's tent that's down on the field, and I honestly enjoyed the president's tent better than Gail Rose.”

From the trustees, the resolution for the building's demolition will be passed to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education for approval. If approved at PASSHE, it will need approval from the Department of General Services.

While Gail Rose Lodge may be coming to a close, SRU could be expanding more into the Harrisville area, eyeing the old First National Bank building.

Last year First National Bank closed its Harrisville location, 124 S. Main St., and has yet to sell the building.

In a report during Thursday's University Advancement Committee meeting, Ed Bucha, executive director of the SRU Foundation, said SRU should be having a meeting soon with First National to discuss donating the former bank in exchange for naming rights.

Behre said naming rights could come in the form of a space, a building or an event, as they do for other donors.

Behre said if the deal would go through, the building's use is still unknown.

Behre said it could be helpful as SRU's leaders consider the idea of grouping all of their health care in one location. “Right now we're scattered. We have some health care on this campus and some health care up there,” Behre said. “What would the benefits be of getting our health care in a single spot?”