Campus Connection

The University Athletic Center has temporarily relocated some of its fitness equipment and closed racquetball and squash courts due to facility renovations intended to make the gym more accessible and prepare it to be connected to the future Campus Center. 

The $3 million Pratt St. Garage Elevator Modernization Project will replace the existing elevator cars that are over 30 years old.  Its goal is to reduce instances of elevator failure and repair, increase efficiency of the elevators to better accommodate the number of drivers parking in the garage, bring the gym into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and eventually transport students from the new campus center to the current gym area.   

The strength and fitness equipment, originally located at the northeast corner of the gym, has been moved to one of two basketball courts and has limited its use to a half-court.  The other basketball court remains fully functional. 

Although the basketball league games will continue to be played, it will likely face some changes.  “The basketball league will have to be altered either in the amount of days I use or the number of teams that I have participate,” said Bill Crockett, director of the University Athletic Center.  “I want to make sure that I still have the space for general play for those who don’t want to play in a structured league.” 

One racquetball remains available for student use.  Crockett said that his staff is considering possible changes to the racquetball and squash court usage policy in order to accommodate a greater number of students.  Among the changes being considered is a daily maximum reservation of only a single one-hour block per pair of players as well as the institution of a 15 minute grace period for players to arrive for their reserved times before a court is made available on a first-come basis. 

The closed racquetball and squash courts are scheduled to be reopened for student use by late fall or early winter.  

Despite a 15% loss of floor space, not all of the changes have been negative.  The relocation of the spin bikes has allowed their usage without preventing use of the nearby basketball court.  Prior to the current arrangement, the cardiovascular and strength equipment were located on opposite sides of the gym.  With the equipment now grouped closer together, “I’ve seen more people incorporating the non-free weight strength equipment into their [workout] regimen,” said Crockett.    

If it remains on schedule, the entire project should last for about a year and a half with the eventual replacement of all four existing elevators in the Pratt St. Garage.  A renovation of the garage’s west bank of elevators is scheduled to begin between July and September 2008 and to be completed around the end of 2008.  During that period, the gym itself will also be entirely closed for renovations.  Crockett is studying alternative options to meet students’ athletic needs during this time. 

Crockett hopes that students will be understanding of all the changes at the Athletic Center. “I would hope that they realize that this is for improvement’s sake,” he said.  “This is being done to actually enhance the existing facility for the time that’s left in it.”

Brian Ellsworth, a second-year pharmacy student in a work-study position at the gym’s fitness desk, said that he had not heard any complaints from students.  “They always just ask why…and how long it’s going to be like that.”  

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