PRESQUE ISLE – Local students, staff and faculty had their first official glimpse Monday afternoon of Caroline D. Gentile Hall, the $9 million health and physical education complex nearing completion at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

University officials moved a weekly campus social gathering to the new building this week to offer tours and give the university community a chance to see the almost-finished facility.

“How cool is that?” exclaimed one student as she gazed up at the nearly 40-foot-high climbing wall during a small group tour. Others murmured “wow” and raised their eyebrows in surprise as they checked out the large gymnasium area and the track that runs around it on the second floor.

The health and physical education complex houses a 25-yard pool, 16-meter track, multipurpose courts, fitness center and climbing wall, classroom and laboratory space. The building is named after Dr. Caroline D. Gentile, the university’s longest-serving faculty member and largest donor. Gentile, who attended the event, has worked for UMPI since 1946.

The 150 or so who walked through the facility saw the building almost exactly as it will look when it officially opens on Jan. 21. The 45,000-square-foot facility is 96 percent complete, according to Charlie Bonin, the university’s vice president for administration and finance.

Bonin said last week that aside from a few minor details, officials are waiting only for fitness equipment and staff to make the building completely operational.

But with the pool filled and construction complete, Bonin said it feels wonderful to watch the project draw to a close.

“We’re there,” he said. “I’ll be even happier when we have the [fitness] equipment in place and be ready to open the doors for students and the public.”

University officials have scheduled three gala events for the building’s opening: a reception for the campus community, including faculty, staff, students and alumni, on Thursday, Jan. 19; a donor reception on Friday, Jan. 20; and a grand opening for the community on Jan. 21.

As opening day draws near, Bonin said his main objective now is to finish the process of staffing the building. Right now, officials are wrapping up a search for an assistant associate director for the building.

Officials already have determined a price structure for facility membership fees by status (individual, family, faculty and staff or nonuniversity), usage (full year, per semester or summer only) and family income (ranges include incomes greater than $45,000, those between $30,000 and $45,000 and those less than $30,000). A full-year membership will cost a faculty or staff member about $120 and the average resident about $200.

Looking back, Bonin said he believes that officials “comfortably” stayed within the building cost, even though the project saw a few delays – including a pool liner that had to be relaid because it had a bubble in it and the pouring of a synthetic gym floor which was held off until all work on the climbing wall was complete. Despite the delays, Bonin credited general contractor Pizzagalli Construction Co. of Vermont with completing the project successfully and saving the university “a lot of headaches.”

“It’s been a team effort to see everyone from the general contractor and the subcontractor to the systemwide staff and our staff work together and get this project done on time and to perfection,” Bonin said.