The House of Payne puts on the Ritz

By Alison Morris

The second-largest gymnasim in the world is in the midst of a major facelift. The return to campus this September brought a wealth of surprises for Yalies-- especially to frequent visitors to Payne Whitney Gymnasium (PWG). Plans for a $100 million, long-term renovation of the 66-year-old gym have been developing over the past five years and have been a particularly high priority on President Richard Levin's, GRD '74, agenda. "The renovation of the gym has been a very high priority of President Levin practically since he took office," Barbara Chesler, associate athletic director and director of the project, said. "He understands the current students' need for improved recreational facilities."

JULIA TIERNAN/YH The new student fitness center and upcoming renovation of the tower are just two of the many improvements in the works at Payne Whitney Gymnasium.

The PWG renovation project is divided into three phases. Currently, the University is well into Phase I of the project, which includes a new fitness center, new varsity and membership locker rooms, improved general lighting, and a revamping of the lobby. The changes to the lobby are among the most noticeable; sandblasting of the stone has already occurred. In the next few months, major changes in the lobby's lighting fixtures, the addition of double glass entrance doors, and the construction of a centrally located security desk will take place. The aim of these improvements is "not only to brighten up the lobby, but also to increase security," Chesler explained. She added, "The new double entry doors will assist the air circulation and prevent problems with the heat and the cold."

Phase I of the PWG renovations includes not only improving the condition of the already existing facility, but also adding a new recreational center to the rear of the PWG amphitheater. In July 1997, builders began constructing the Colonel Lanman Center, which is connected to PWG by a hallway formerly occupied by sports medicine offices. With over 30,000 square feet of recreational space, the center includes a one-sixth-mile jogging track and four full-size basketball courts that can be converted into over 20 side courts or be used for volleyball and badminton. An essential part of the project was to improve Yale's basketball facilities. "We were the only school in our division with only one basketball court," Chesler said.

Although the $38 million Phase I renovations incorporate many new changes, the greatest excitement seems to focus around the new fourth floor fitness center. This new workout area includes 21,000 square feet of state-of-the-art cardiovascular machines and free weights. The area has been divided into three sections, each measuring 7,000 square feet, with two of them designated for non-varsity athletes--giving both casual athletes and varsity team members much to be excited about. "[The new fitness center] is ideal for the varsity as well as non-varsity athletes", swimmer Brett Rubin, SM '00, said, "because the facilities are big enough for everyone." In addition, many students felt that a university of Yale's caliber should have an athletic facility as impressive as its name. Now, it seems, the students have exactly what they wanted. "I worked out at the University of Colorado in Boulder this summer, which was awesome, and I was disappointed to come back to Yale's old gym," Emily Saslow, SY '01, explained. "But when I got here, I was so psyched cause Yale's gym is now just as good as Boulder's, and Boulder has over 20,000 students. It's impressive that our facilities compete with those of a school that large."

The changes in the workout center have also alleviated students' complaints about having to wait to use cardiovascular machinery. The renovations have vastly expanded the number of stationary bicycles, treadmills, rowing machines, and stairmasters. Such improvements will doubtless reduce the hassle of waiting on line. Furthermore, the surround-sound stereo system and several cable televisions have made exercising a more enjoyable experience for students. But students have been quick to point out the relatively small amount of time that the televisions are actually turned on.

The varsity weight room has also been heralded for its expansion in size and equipment. Baseball pitcher Randy Forman, SM '00, explained, "One of the really good things is that [the weight room] doubled in size and equipment. Our team does a lot of Olympic-style lifting, which involves platforms. Last year we had four, but with the new weight room, we have ten. We also have twice as many squat racks. And these new racks let you do five or six different exercises, which makes them really versatile." The weight room is also equipped with video cameras which, Forman explained, "lets players tape their lifting so they can go back and watch their own technique and make improvements."

Though the varsity weight room has clearly become bigger and more technologically advanced, Forman noted that it also has a down side. Doubling the weight room also doubles the number of people working out at one time, so it can be difficult for coaches to give athletes as much personal attention as they did in the past. Nonetheless, Forman said that "the coaches have been doing a great job handling the larger room."

Phase II improvements are not far behind, since the Phase I renovations are "right on schedule if not ahead of schedule," according to Chesler. This next stage of changes includes plans to renovate the aquatics facilities, including the additions of a new 50-meter stretch pool, improvements to the amphitheater, and further lobby renovations. Phase II renovations will also include replacement of the racquetball courts, which were removed during Phase I. Even further into the future are plans for Phase III, which include refurbishing certain areas of the tower, in addition to the gymnastics, dance, and fencing areas.

Students' reactions to the PWG renovations have been overwhelmingly positive. From serious varsity athletes to those who only exercise casually, all Yalies seem to be enjoying the new facilities. And indeed there is little left to complain about in a space boasting such an abundance of state-of-the-art equipment. Consequently, it seems that the renovations are living up to the athletic department's plan "to bring Yale's fitness into the modern era," as articulated by Chesler. She concluded that even though it appears that much of the work on PWG has already been completed, the athletic department is still "intent to continue its renovations of the gym."

With two more phases of improvements in the works, students and administration agree that Yale's athletic facilities can only get better.

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