PAC Phase I restoration nears completion

After four years of anticipation and planning, work on the Herman W. Lay Physical Activities Center is in full swing. New facilities will be available for campus-wide use sooner than one may think.The $9.6 million project to revamp and uplift the PAC was divided into two phases and includes installing completely new heating, cooling and electrical units.

The main focuses for Phase I are the Health and Exercise Science (HES) classrooms, the pool, both men and women's locker rooms and the fitness center. But this restoration is not the average face-lift - it is a full expansion and makeover.
The swimming pool will remain the same size, only refurbished with new tiling. The old diving well will be converted into an aquatic therapy pool to be used by the Sports Medicine department.

A treatment room will also be established over the old racquetball court. Both locker rooms will be completely redone with the old men's locker room area transformed into two new classrooms.

The fitness center will be relocated to the western end of the building and expanded with the addition of a two-level mezzanine.

New cardio and resistance equipment as well as an area for spinning bikes will be added, with the center area increased by about two-thirds. Both floors will have a variety of equipment.
Classrooms are scheduled to be ready by the first day of classes with the rest of Phase I scheduled for completion by September 8, as long as there are no unexpected setbacks. Meanwhile, the fitness center remains open in its original location.

Phase II of the restoration project will include the dance studio, basketball court and department offices. The dance studio will be expanded within its current location.

The basketball court will be reconstructed over the site of the old fitness center with an interesting new feature: a glass wall will be placed between the court and the two-level fitness center to allow for a more open environment.

Phase II should be complete by the spring of 2009, with the court available for the intramural basketball season.

Professor and Chair of the HES Department Bill Pierce hopes that the renovation will provide for a much more inviting facility for Furman's active campus.

The renovation committee, composed of all parties that utilize the building along with the architectural firm, has made a strong and collaborative effort to satisfy everyone's needs.