[media-credit name=’BRYAN FAUST/Herald Photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Proposals to renovate the University of Wisconsin Memorial Union and Union South were presented in an open forum Wednesday night for students and faculty to give their input regarding the proposed changes.

One of the primary reasons for renovation is because the growing student body has created a lack of space at the unions, Union Director Mark Guthier said.

“We are hoping to renovate entirely both facilities,” Guthier said.

A proposal to destroy the existing Union South building was discussed, though unlikely, according to Guthier. The cost of renovating Union South will be the deciding factor, he said.

“We don’t want to spend more money on the new union over there than we would spend on renovating Union South,” Guthier said.

While both unions need to be “revitalized,” it is important to preserve the buildings’ historic qualities, Guthier added during the forum at the Memorial Union.

“We hear very loud and clear things like, ‘Don’t ruin the Rathskeller,'” Guthier said, “‘don’t mess with the ceiling at Tripp Commons.’ [O]f course this is something we wouldn’t think about doing.”

The Union Council held a series of focus groups involving students, University of Wisconsin faculty, and alumni to identify programs they wished the unions offered.

The council said installing air conditioning in Memorial Union, improving the bathrooms, making the union more accessible, upgrading technology and adding other modern conveniences are necessary renovations.

Guthier said the proposal includes the addition of two elevators to make Memorial Union more accessible for people with physical challenges.

Other renovation proposals for Memorial Union include a300-seat film theater, a new Hoofers area and piers, a 1,000-seat ballroom, and as much programming and additional space as the unions will allow, according to Guthier.

If the proposal passes, Union South would receive a facelift, including an outdoor amphitheater, new food service options and infrastructure upgrades.

It is also possible for piers on Lake Mendota to be introduced for public use. Currently, the piers are available only for Hoofers use, Guthier said. The future plans include a “new expanded and modern Hoofers presence on the lake.”

The funding for the plan will come from many different sources. However, commercial or corporate money is not likely to be a source of funding.

“I find it hard to believe that we would end up with a corporate name,” Guthier said.

Some students attending the open forum expressed concern students would not be actively involved with the union renovation plans.

Mark Brockdorf, president of Wisconsin Union, said the entire process will involve students.

First, the proposal will go to the Union Council Facilities Committee, comprised of a majority of students, Brockdorf said. If the proposal passes there, it would then go to the UW System student government Union Council. According to Brockdorf, if the proposal sent to United Council passes, it would go into effect.

“There are tons of checkpoints and a student majority on every single one,” Brockdorf said.

Student Services and Finance Committee Chair Janell Wise also attended the open forum. SSFC will begin debating the Union’s proposal at a meeting Thursday night. Wise said the proposal would likely be ready for a vote later this semester.