When the intramural basketball leagues began Jan. 30, finding space for all 250 teams was not a problem.

Last year, construction limited the number of teams to 150, and questions have arisen about whether there is enough gym space to accommodate the additional 100 teams this year. Charles Anderson, assistant director of intramurals at IMPE, said there would be no problem.

“Last year we took a big hit because we didn’t have gym space,” Anderson said. “This year with Gym 1 being open we’ll take 250 (teams), so it’s really not affecting us that much.”

Last year, intramurals were limited to the three courts in Gym 1. Once Campus Recreation Center East (CRCE), better known as WIMPE, is opened, the three new courts will provide much needed relief for IMPE regulars.

“It got really crowded,” said Jack Kim, a junior in engineering who plays pick up basketball at IMPE. “Some days it was four or five games out.”

The court space situation improved even more recently when the East Wing opened, freeing up four more courts in addition to the current space.

“It looks pretty nice,” Kim said. “It’s nice that they opened up more basketball courts.”

With the new wing open, the original plan was to shut down the rest of the building for renovations and re-open two years from now. Delays in the construction of CRCE have forced those plans to change.

“Until CRCE opens, we’ll have everything open,” Anderson said.

He estimates CRCE opening sometime in mid-March.

Unlike basketball, the inline hockey and indoor soccer tournaments are being threatened to be pushed back or possibly cancelled due to the problems. The tournaments were originally scheduled to be held early in the spring, but with CRCE construction lagging, the space is not available.

Anderson is not worried about courts being a problem. Even with CRCE running behind schedule, courts will be available for basketball season.

Mike Boza, sophomore in business, said he does not know how much the additional space will help.

“I think you’re always going to have problems with gym space. You want more courts, but in a huge college you’re always going to be overcrowded,” Boza said.

Kim said he’s happy the construction is finished.

“I’m just glad that they finally got it open.”