April showers couldn’t stop members of the Gustavus Adolphus College community from gathering for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Lund Center expansion and renovation project last week. As “Gustie Gold” shovels tossed soil into the spring air, the College officially began construction on the $60 million project that will provide new and improved spaces for wellness, academic programs in health and exercise science and athletic training, and athletics.
Following COVID-19 protocols, the gathering included student representatives from the exercise physiology, athletic training, and health and physical education majors, student-athletes, coaches representing men’s and women’s athletics programs, and partners from BWBR Architects and Kraus-Anderson Construction in addition to Gustavus leadership and the College’s core team for the project.
“Lund Center will be an impressive new gateway to the Gustavus campus,” President Rebecca M. Bergman said. “This will be a place that prospective students visit with their families; it will be a venue for sports teams from the MIAC and from across the country; it will be a place for summer campers of all ages; and it will be a new venue for the Nobel Conference. This will be a fitting place where we can show Gustavus to the world.”
After the President’s welcome and a blessing of the project by Gustavus chaplain Siri Erickson, athletic director Tom Brown and associate professor of health and exercise science Hayley Russell gave remarks about the history of their respective departments and the impact that the building project will have on future Gusties.
“From the very beginning at Gustavus, teachers were coaches and coaches were teachers. Though times have changed, the idea that each of us contributes to the holistic development of our students is as true today as when our department was founded [in 1914],” Russell said, noting that academic programs housed in Lund Center prepare students for a variety of careers in healthcare, education, coaching, athletic training, and strength and conditioning. “This project allows us to do better what we already do in our department—provide our students the opportunity to explore their passions for physical activity and health.”
“For athletics, this facility will help us build on our 125 year tradition of excellence. Our student-athletes will appreciate training and competing in one of the best Division III facilities in the country,” Brown said. “On behalf of our coaches, student-athletes, athletic trainers, and our athletic administration, we are truly excited for this project to begin. All of us would like to thank our alumni and our friends of athletics who have contributed to this project.”
The 12-month Phase I of the expansion and renovation focuses on a 72,000 square-foot addition that includes fitness facilities utilized by all members of the Gustavus community such as expanded cardio and weight room spaces, locker room renovations, and new office spaces. Phase II is expected to begin immediately afterwards, with the conclusion of the entire project by early 2023. The completed facility will total approximately 330,000 square feet.
Highlights of the multiphase project include:
- wellness facilities that will more than triple in size and include expanded weight room, cardio, and group fitness spaces;
- a new academic wing housing improved classrooms, faculty offices, and a 118-seat lecture hall;
- a Human Performance Lab that will more than double in size, supporting student research and hands-on learning in exercise science and athletic training programs;
- a new 53,000 square foot field house with synthetic turf that will add all-season practice, exercise, and recreation space for multiple varsity sports, club teams, intramural leagues, and general student use;
- state-of-the-art locker rooms that will provide best-in-class spaces for students, employees, and varsity athletic teams.
“Gustavus ranks at the top of Minnesota colleges in service to low-income students, in the value of our science programs, and in the number of student-athletes who earn Academic All-American honors. In academics, in student and faculty research, in alumni support, Gustavus is thriving,” President Bergman said. “The expanded and renovated Lund Center will be a necessary and appropriate addition to the campus and a fitting reflection of the College’s momentum.”
The Lund Center expansion and renovation is one of the major outcomes of Show the World, the College’s $225 million comprehensive campaign that was announced in September 2019.