The project has begun with the demolition of Armstrong Gymnasium Events Center to expand and renovate the roughly 6,250 square foot natatorium. The expanded and renovated natatorium will include 16 platforms, seven double racks and two half racks, a small cardiovascular and recovery space, and a free weight exercise area. The new weight room will also feature a 5-yard by 28-yard turf area alongside the east wall for conditioning, stretching, drills and footwork.
As part of facelift, the lip of the swimming pool was removed while the remaining footprint of the pool will be filled with foam sheeting to provide stability. Once the foam is installed, rebar will be installed and concrete will be poured. Once the concrete floor has cured, rubber flooring will be installed and thereafter walls and windows will be completed.
Till the new weight room is completed, the current weight room on the second floor of the centre will become a mechanical space and house air handling units for the events centre. The new weight room is expected to be completed in mid-September.
The center’s south parking lot will be demolished next month and a new horseshoe-shaped arena will be constructed in that place. The arena, which can accommodate more than 1,800 spectators on the north, south and west sides, is expected to be completed in the winter of 2014 just in time for the opening of the 2014-15 men’s and women’s basketball seasons.
Furthermore, earthwork and structural work for the new horseshoe-shaped arena, athletic offices and locker rooms will also begin. The center’s 600 plus seats will have collapsible backs to them. Visitors will enter the mezzanine level on the southwestern corner of the arena and enter the stands from the top. Six basketball goals will be fixed to the ceiling, while scoreboards will hang on both the east and west walls.
US-based Adolfson & Peterson Construction is undertaking the construction. The project, which has gone through several phases, will be completed in approximately 20-month time.
