Washington University to undertake athletic complex renovation
Washington University in St. Louis will undertake a major renovation project that will involve transformation of athletic complex and creation of the Gary and Rachel Sumers Recreation Center.
In order to provide an expanded and modernised sports complex, the project includes a complete 36,000 square feet interior rejuvenation of the historic Francis Gymnasium, which was the site of the 1904 Olympics; a 66,500 square feet addition to the south side of Francis Gymnasium; and an additional 20,000 square feet of improvements to the existing athletic complex.
To develop a stronger sense of community and promote healthy lifestyles and fitness, the 1985-renovated Athletic Complex will house a three-court gymnasium with suspended running track, among many other recreational and athletic amenities after renovation.
The project will also provide new spaces for intramurals, general university-wide fitness programs and team sport practices and workouts, as well as administrative offices, seminar and classroom areas and conference rooms.
The historic Francis Gym, built of red Missouri granite and limestone trim, was one of the first 10 buildings designed by university architects Cope and Stewardson. It will be renovated and transformed into the state-of-the-art Gary and Rachel Sumers Fitness Center. The centre will include cardiovascular equipment, training and meeting rooms and offices.
Post completion, the transformed Francis Gym will feature a two-storied lobby as a community gathering place, welcoming centre for a wide range of fitness, wellness and athletics amenities. Visitors can enter the complex via a transformed set of doors at the western end of William Greenleaf Eliot Way, post renovation. This walkway begins near the middle of campus at Graham Chapel.
Other fitness and recreation enhancements included in the project are two multipurpose rooms for group exercise, a spinning studio, men’s and women’s recreation locker rooms, wellness service offices, recreation offices and a rock-climbing wall.
For the university’s renowned NCAA Division III varsity athletic programs, upgrades will include doubling the existing size of the sports medicine suite, improvements to varsity and visitors locker rooms, a renovated recreation gymnasium and additional meeting rooms.
Construction of the new addition and renovations are expected to be completed in 2015. Washington University alumnus and trustee Gary Sumers and his wife, Rachel, recently committed $12 million grant to the project.
