The first wave of renovations to Dillon Gym, which took place from August 15 to August 21, brought changes to its interior including a refinished main gym floor, a renovated Martial Arts Room and shock-absorbent flooring under exercise machines in the Stephens Fitness Center.
The renovations are part of a project by the Health and Well-Being Task Force to upgrade the "appearance and operation of Dillon Gym," according to William Traubel, the University's director of building maintenance. In all, the project tackled roughly 200 projects using the $600,000 allotted by the University.
Renovations also included privacy partitions in locker rooms, restrooms and women's showers; new air conditioning in the Spinning Room; new paint throughout the building; and tiled flooring outside the locker room, according to Associate Athletic Director for Campus Recreation Eric Stein.
Assorted other changes that may not be obvious upon first glance include electrically operated shades in the fitness center and vinyl stair treads.
These "touch-up" renovations to the 58-year-old gym — used by about 1,500 people every day — will lead to "major renovations in the next three to five years," Stein added.
Further renovations expected to be completed by the end of winter break include new bleachers and backboards, a divider curtain system in the main gym, an upgraded lobby with redesigned restrooms, water chillers instead of water coolers and upgraded audio-video equipment in the library.
The purpose of the project, Traubel said, is to "make [the gym] more functional and increase it to the level of the Stephens Fitness Center, renew or improve 'tired' or outdated building components, remove obsolete items and add new items that enhance user comfort."
"We had to come up with a first level priority," said gym supervisor Evan Moorhead. The first cost estimate came to over $650,000. That figure was then pared down to $600,000 by coordinators of the renovation project.
Several Dillon staff members expressed satisfaction with the recent renovations.
"We're just happy to have somebody pay attention to the gym and champion our cause," Moorhead said.
"Every part of the gym has seen some improvement," Traubel said. "It's a Dillon Gym facelift."
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