Construction fences are up around campus with more to come. Large-scale renovations for the Lilly Center and athletics campus are underway beginning last week.
The objective is to improve recreational facilities on campus and create greater appeal for students. The Lilly renovations will double the size of the fitness center, making the equipment areas far less crowded.
"Lilly was built in 1982, before public fitness. People didn't go to the gym as much back then," said David Doelle, manager of campus project implementation. "Now they're becoming more of people's daily routine."
Athletics Director Stevie Baker-Watson agreed.
"I think it will be a tremendous uptake in terms of what we have to offer our students," Baker-Watson said. "Right now, we're just overcrowded. I think students want to have a space for recreation and exercise - we just don't have that availability for them right now."
Together the projects cost $26.4 million, both funded significantly by donors.
Another goal of the renovations is to draw more students in, which would cater to both athletes and non-athletes.
"We have a number of students who don't want to participate in intercollegiate athletics, and so we want an opportunity to build our intramural program," Baker-Watson said. "But in order for us to do that, we have to have the space, and we have to have the right kind of surface for that."
Construction fences have already been erected around Lilly, Blackstock Stadium and McKeen Field. In addition, Hanna Street west of Madison will close soon. New access routes are being planned for most of the buildings under renovation, and a few of the parking lots will close.
Additions to the Lilly Center are estimated to amount to 36,000 square feet, including a new 16,000 square foot fitness center, planned to the main training facility on campus. Other changes are three "multipurpose" rooms - which will purportedly triple the space used for fitness and dance classes - a new pool roof and eventual 50-meter pool, new locker rooms and more administrative space.
Outside of athletics, the renovations will also provide extra space for the kinesiology department, which is currently spread throughout several buildings. This project would put the entire department in Lilly, making it easier access for students and faculty.
A lobby will also be put into the recreation center, with a desk staff, furniture and a coffee bar to serve as a study area for students.
DePauw's Athletics Campus is also adding turf in Blackstock, new locations for track, fields and throwing events, more parking spaces and a new multisport stadium and practice field. The visitors' stands will be torn down to make room for track runs and jumps, and a portion of Hanna Street will be renovated between Blackstock and the planned location for the new stadium.
The many changes being made are expected to have a positive impact.
"It'll begin to give our campus this feel of being a really healthy campus because students will be more actively engaged than they are right now," Baker-Watson said.
Students look forward to the finished project.
"The approved facilities will be good for athletes and non-athletes," sophomore Hannah Lukemeyer said. "So they can spread out a little more than they can currently."
Doell is optimist about the effect the finished projects will have on prospective students.
"It will dramatically improve the experience for everybody," Doell said. "Hopefully it's the type of thing that attracts people who want to come here."
Both projects are expected to be completed next year, with an estimation month of August, 2014 for Lilly and spring, 2014 for the new stadium. Track and football field enhancements at Blackstock are scheduled to be complete by August, 2013.