Half Acre Gym reopened last week with numerous additions.
Renovations to Half Acre began in May 2013. Kenneth Jones, manager of capital projects at UW Facilities Planning, said the simplest reason for the renovations is to provide the university a modern recreation and wellness center experience. The renovations are scheduled in two phases, the first of which opened March 16. Pat Moran, director of campus recreation, said the renovation makes the gym better in numerous areas.
“This project transformed an iconic 90-year-old building on campus into a modern recreation and wellness facility,” Moran said. “Some of the important aspects that were addressed during the renovation were accessibility, privacy, overcrowding and the addition of a Wellness Center.”
The first phase of construction involved the demolition and reconstruction of Half Acre’s east building, which now houses many new features, including a climbing area.
Moran said the first phase of construction yielded a significant increase in weight and cardio equipment, a multi-activity court to be used for several different activities and four new racquetball courts. In addition, Moran said Half Acre added a new spinning room, a dance studio and several group exercise studios.
The new weight room is comprised of new weight racks, dumbbells and resistance machines. Some new cardio machines even have television monitors.
Eric Magana, a UW sophomore majoring in engineering, said the old weight room was not large enough to meet demand, meaning a lot of waiting for equipment. Magana said this is no longer the case.
“I think it’s great,” Magana said. “With all the new equipment, design and space it looks very professional. It is a lot easier to go through your whole routine without having to wait for open equipment.”
Half Acre also has new and expanded locker rooms, with many still available to rent for the rest of the semester.
The second phase, which involves the renovation of the west building of Half Acre, is underway and scheduled for late summer completion, Jones said.
Moran said this phase of renovation aims to create “a comprehensive wellness center to the facility that will offer many different aspects of holistic wellness to the campus community.”
Moran also said this center will, “not only focus on physical wellbeing, but will also address components such as nutrition, stress management, time management, emotional well-being and a wide variety of other wellness topics.”
