Coastal Carolina OKs $40M building

Coastal Carolina University is embarking on a $40 million project to build a new recreation center and begin planning for new academic programs.
   
The college said its board of trustees approved the building program on Friday.
   
The project includes a $35 million convocation and recreation center with a sports arena. Funding also will cover a baseball batting facility, a dining hall addition, and a new cooling and heating plant.
   
The board also agreed to begin preliminary planning for new academic programs including Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in musical theater, acting, and theater design.
   
Coastal Carolina is in Conway, just outside Myrtle Beach. The public university has about 7,800 students.