Colgate Opens New Fitness Center

CENTERBROOK, Conn. – Colgate University recently dedicated its new 15,000-square-foot Trudy Fitness Center before a gathering of hundreds of alumni, students and supporters at the school’s Hamilton, New York campus.

The Center nearly triples the size of workout facilities campus-wide in an accessible building connected to the school’s existing gymnasium. Designed by Centerbrook, the project is slated for LEED Silver and was implemented in collaboration with QPK Design of Syracuse.

“It's not very often that you dedicate a building, much less one that is so important to the health of the campus,” said President Jeffrey Herbst at the ceremonies. “It's a tremendous moment for all of us.”

“This new fitness center is already immensely popular,” said Mark Thompson, Colgate counseling director, at the opening ceremonies. “When the center first opened in January, there were more than 200 students lined up at the door at 6 a.m. Two hundred students voluntarily awake at 6:00 on a Monday morning — that doesn’t happen. And yet it did.”

The fitness center’s lower level, built of cast-in-place concrete, is ten feet below grade to reduce energy usage and building footprint. It houses strength-training equipment, free weights, full length mirrors below clerestory windows, stretching areas, stowing cubbies, bathrooms, and a wellness office. The upper level features cardio machines – nearly doubling the number on campus – and stretching areas along exterior walls with floor to ceiling windows under a ceiling supported by wood trusses. Between the two floors is an on-grade, split-level entry lobby containing a reception area and more stowing cubbies.

Exterior walls are faced in Colgate’s signature bluestone with limestone accents. Tall windows showcase the nighttime fitness activity, making the building a highly visible campus attraction.

Chad Floyd, FAIA, was the Partner-in-Charge for Centerbrook and Reno Migani was the Project Manager.