Oberlin, Ohio – In October the Oberlin College Board of Trustees voted to approve the expansion of Philips Gym, which includes a new fitness center and a complete renovation of Carr Pool.
 
Construction has already begun on the on the south side of Philips Gym where a new wellness area will be erected with several fitness rooms for varying activities ranging from yoga, spinning, TRX and dance. Additionally, other areas will house cardio equipment, new weight machines and free weights.
 
"Opened in 1971, Philips was not designed to accommodate the requirements of Title IX and the tremendous growth of women's athletics. Nor did it anticipate the growing wellness needs of the broader Oberlin community," Delta Lodge Director of Athletics Natalie Winkelfoos said. "Expanding and revitalizing Philips and building a new swimming pool are crucially important steps in addressing the growing near and long-term needs of our College and Conservatory population, our fee-paying recreation center members, along with our partners from local schools, churches, youth organizations and sports clubs."
 
The outdated Carr Pool will be completely renovated and be expanded from six lanes to eight lanes, which will benefit everyone.   
 
"Carr Pool has long suffered from chronic, age-related mechanical and basin-integrity issues," Winkelfoos said. "The facility does much more than just serve as a home base for our swimming and diving and teams. It serves a broad range of constituents."
 
The new space will cover 15,315 square feet and will be open to all students; faculty, staff  along with those who are recreation center members. 
 
"Oberlin's mission—helping students achieve academic, artistic and musical excellence—is paramount," Winkelfoos added. "But health, wellness, and athletics are an integral part of that mission. We take pride in Oberlin's long history of promoting the notion of nurturing sound minds in sound bodies through sports and physical exercise.  That philosophy also applies to the health, wellness, and fitness of our entire campus community."
 
Construction for the project is already underway and users can get updates about the progress here. The entire renovation is scheduled to by completed by August of 2018.

What Others Are Saying About the Health and Wellness Center
 
Without access to cost-effective facilities, and time to commit to my fitness after work I have struggled to stay motivated. As an Oberlin College staff member, I am afforded with free opportunities to commit to personal care. I currently take Jason Hudson's circuit training workout, Core and Weights with Cynthia Hull, and swim during my lunch break. These programs have provided me with new "teammates" from across campus, access to a gym and pool, and time during my workday to accomplish my fitness goals.  However, when the pool is broken or freezing cold, or the multipurpose room and field house are hotter than it is outside it makes it hard to stay motivated and continue to go back every day. With adequate facilities, equipment, and expanded programming, Philips Gym can be much more than a gym. It can be a place everyone feels welcome and motivated to be champions of their own health."
- Amy Immel / Associate Director of Parent & Family Giving

"Creating this space allows our athletes the opportunity to access the same equipment that the varsity athletes use, without feeling like they don't belong. In the future we plan to use this for off-season workouts, which will keep us healthier and safer when we enter our spring season."
- Ben Gillen / Third-Year / President of Club Soccer Team
 
"It brings me great joy to learn of the College's plans to expand Philips gym and to create a new health and wellness center.  As a former Oberlin resident, O.C. student athlete, Alumnus and current college employee, Philips gym has always been a central place in my Oberlin experience.  I am proud of Oberlin's commitment to athletics and see this as both a way to enhance our athletic and wellness initiatives, and to make our facilities more desirable and accessible for everyone."
- Chris Donaldson / Dean of the Class of 2019/Special Advisor Oberlin College Student Academic Services
 
"I am really excited about the pool renovation. I won't have to wonder if I am going to be too cold if I try and get a swim workout in. Also having air conditioning for the cardio equipment will be a joy, especially in the summer months."
- Conrad Sheridan / Oberlin College Conservatory Class of 2017
 
" The awesome thing about having more space is that people who may feel intimidated with the spaces that we have now - they will have more options and feel more comfortable working out."
- Olivia Konuk  / Oberlin College Class of 2018