We are pleased to announce that the Field House and the Fitness Center in the Keohane Sports Center will open on Wednesday, January 28 at 7 a.m., weather dependent.

Please also note that you will need your OneCard to gain access to the Fitness Center.  Beginning Monday, all women will now need their OneCard to access the locker room spaces; this is already the case for men. If you do not have a OneCard (or yours is not activated) please stop by Campus Police (Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to take care of this before you come to the Sports Center.

Thank you for your continued patience these last few days as we put the finishing touches on these new spaces.  Get ready to be wowed!

SAVE THE DATES– COMMUNITY CELEBRATION BEING PLANNED

Friday, February 13: Noon-3 p.m.
Open House/Workout and Field House/Fitness Center ribbon cutting– Let’s focus on a day of Fitness and Fun with Sneakers and Warmups encouraged!

Saturday, February 14: 1-3:30 p.m.
Pre-Game Reception at 1 p.m. followed by Halftime Court Donor Dedication (approx. 2:40 p.m.) during the Wellesley v. Mount Holyoke Basketball Game.

Please note that the general Weight Room on the lower level of the Keohane Sports Center and the temporary cardio space across from the Weight Room will be closed from Wednesday, January 14 through Sunday, January 25. We need to close these spaces so that we may relocate equipment to the Field House, the renovation of which is nearing its final stages.

During this time, the spin bikes (currently housed on the Squash Court) will be available; please check with the Front Desk for availability and location. The pool will be unaffected during this time.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.

Curious about what the inside of the Field House looks like these days? You can catch a glimpse of the renovations—and see right through the building—as work to replace the building envelope continues. Approximately 25 percent of the wall panels have been replaced. The same kind of removal and replacement work is also happening on the roof, which is currently 90 percent complete.

The Field House is a busy place. The fitness center is starting to take shape and the previously blue interior trusses have been painted white to match the underside of the new roof, making the space appear larger and brighter, and enhancing the character of the space.

Also, new steel has been installed which will support new curtains that will separate various PERA-related activities (such as a batting cage, basketball court, tennis courts, and track).

On the north side of the building—along Route 135—you can see cutouts above the exterior doors and in the fitness center where new windows will be installed, which will bring some natural light into the Field House and will allow building occupants a visual connection to the outside.

Next up? Crews will soon be prepping the floor for the installation of the new permanent wood floor and sports flooring.

Here are some recent images that capture the ongoing work, which is on track for completion in late January:

A view from the new mezzanine level.

The old roof panels are being replaced with new panels. The roof is about 75 percent complete.

Currently, as the Field House exterior walls come down and are replaced, passersby can sneak a peek inside.

Painting the trusses white has already brightened the interior space.

An interior view of the roof work at the Field House.

Renovation work in the Field House continues to progress on time and on budget this summer. Recently, the steel structure that will support the new fitness mezzanine was completed. Demolition work and the installation of a new roof and wall panels also continue, with the use of two cranes.

The steel structure that will support the new fitness mezzanine is now in place.

This week, a construction crane arrived at the Field House, to assist in the demolition of the old roof, and the construction of the new, insulated metal panel roof. The crane will be repositioned along the south side of the Field House as roof work continues through the summer.

The Field House Design Team held two open forums this spring to provide the community an overview of the Field House renovation project and to seek input on specific questions. Using an existing wall in the Field House as a “Graffiti Wall,” (right) forum attendees “exercised their opinions” to provide feedback on the renovated Field House. Didn’t have a chance to voice your opinion? There is still time—by answering the below two questions, either in the comments section of this blog, or by emailing Bridget Belgiovine directly.

• Question #1: What specific types of cardio and fitness equipment would you like to see installed in the new campus Fitness Mezzanine that is being constructed as part of the KSC Field House renovation project?
• Question #2:  What color combination would you like to see used for the multi-purpose floor surface for the track, tennis courts, and general area? Choices are:
  • Blue Track and Tennis Courts (white lines) and Dark Gray surrounding areas
  • Blue/Dark Gray Track (as seen in photo below); Blue Tennis Courts (white lines) and Dark Gray surrounding areas
  • Red Track (current color) and Green Tennis Courts (white lines) and surrounding areas

We have heard from a number of students with questions about the cardio relocation to Caz. Below are some of the questions received and answers to those questions.

If you have additional questions, you can leave a comment in the space below, or email Bridget Belgiovine, director of athletics and department chair.

Q: Is there any way to hook up TVs in Caz?
A: Fortunately all cardio areas are temporary and we will be in our permanent home soon. We encourage users to supply their own devices during the renovation period.

Q. Can we get jump ropes to utilize in Caz?
A: Unfortunately, the space isn’t set up to accommodate jump ropes, given the low hanging light fixtures.

Q: Could a rowing erg be added to the Caz fitness space, similar to the one that existed in the KSC Fieldhouse cardio corner?
A: Yes! The erg machine has recently been moved into the Caz cardio space.

Q. Could you please provide workouts/intervals for students to use as a guide in the relocated Spin Room in KSC lower level squash court?
A: Becky Kimball, director of sports performance & wellness, and her staff are currently working on several workouts that will be laminated and left in the spin room for general users.

Since Spring Break, Turner Construction has been busy preparing the Field House and surrounding area for renovation. A temporary walkway (at right) and stairs are being installed along the Upper Field. This alternate route will allow you to go around the site when the existing walkway is closed for construction.

Inside the Field House, work is under way in advance of the first major step in the renovation: An area of the existing floor will be removed to allow for foundation work associated with the new fitness mezzanine.

Over spring break, we officially began the Field House renovation project. As part of that project, some cardio equipment from the Field House has been relocated to Caz Dining Hall for student use over the duration of the renovation project. (Students can work out in Caz from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. Swipe-card access is needed.)

The space in Caz is now open and ready to use!