New Facility Expansion: $20 Million
Several projects are proposed to support the indoor needs of wellness, fitness, and indoor athletics programs at Messiah College, as well as program expansion in the areas of occupational and physical therapies. The timing and ordering of the indoor projects are critical as the expansion and renovation of new spaces are dependent on the expansion and renovation of existing spaces. Consequently, the proposed order of construction of indoor facilities is as follows:
- Wellness center addition;
- Addition of an auxiliary gymnasium providing two basketball courts and office space;
- Renovation of Hitchcock Arena to convert it into the new home court for volleyball and basketball.
- A 29,750 square foot, two-story addition to the existing Sollenberger Sports Center;
- Centralized locker space for the athletic teams;
- Renovation of the Fredericksen Natatorium with greatly expanded spectator seating;
- A small meeting room and training area;
- Wellness Center divided up among cardio training, weight lifting, and a group fitness room;
- Expanded wrestling area;
- New faculty office suite for the Department of Health and Human Performance;
- A glass wall along the entire length of the Wellness Center that will provide natural light and offer a significant impression to visitors when entering campus from the North Gate.
- A 12,450 sq. ft. auxiliary gymnasium;
- The space will be large enough to have two basketball practice courts for both team practice and recreational sports use
- Renovation of Hitchcock Arena into the new home court for basketball and volleyball teams;
- Add portable seating for 1,900, a significant expansion over the 1,100 capacity in Brubaker;
- New floor will be constructed, sound system will be upgraded, and renovations to the existing racquetball court area will provide team locker spaces.
When the Messiah College Board of Trustees approved moving forward with 'Campaign for Wellness' at their 2015 winter board retreat, they set a fundraising goal of $6.0 million. The remaining dollars will be raised via tax-free bonds. Gifts of cash and other cash assets can be used to help us reach the $6.0 million goal. Pledges may be made over a 3 to 5 year period.
- All donations of $10,000 or greater will be listed on a wall of donor recognition and gratitude, which will be located at the main entrance of the Sollenberger Sports Center.
- Gifts up to the $9,999 level will be used for a special fund for equipment lease/replacement in the Wellness Center unless requested otherwise. Donors at the $1,000 level and above will be recognized on a digital donor wall of gratitude within the Wellness Center.
- While deferred gifts cannot be used toward our $6.0 million goal, we have set a separate goal of raising $1.0 M in deferred/estate gifts to help create a future endowment that will provide facilities/operating support for the new Wellness Center in perpetuity.
