San Diego

UC San Diego Chancellor Richard C. Atkinson has approved plans for a controversial six-acre recreational complex on the La Jolla campus that, with more than 200,000 square feet for parking, intramural, athletic and concert activities, would become UCSD’s largest structure. Campus faculty members, through their Academic Senate, had asked Atkinson to require revisions because of concerns over noise and traffic factors caused by the concert portion of the facility.

But Atkinson said environmental concerns can be adequately handled, especially since most events would take place during night or weekend hours, when few competing academic activities would be taking place. The center, planned for the north campus area next to the Institute of the Americas, will cost $28 million. It would be funded through a combination of students fees and donations from private individuals. State tax money cannot be used for such facilities.