Groundbreaking on New Athletics & Recreation Complex: Photogallery
Special guests and officials broke ground Wednesday, June 16, on the first phase of the gymnasium expansion project at Trinity Christian College.
President Steve Timmermans, Ph.D., introduced the vision and the need for what will be the Trinity Athletics and Recreation Complex. The existing Mitchell Memorial Gymnasium was built nearly 40 years ago when enrollment numbered in the 300s. Today’s general student population of more than 1,400, and the physical education, intramural, and intercollegiate programs have grown beyond the gym’s capacity to accommodate the increase.
More than $10 million has been raised for the first phase of the Complex. Construction in this phase will include:
- a new competition gymnasium
- classroom space
- a human performance lab
- a training room
- locker rooms
- offices for the athletics department
The main entrance to this new space will be connected to the south side of the existing facility. The second phase, at a cost of $4 million, will involve remodeling of the current gym.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, student athlete Jonathan Huizinga ’11 of Elmhurst, Illinois, spoke words of appreciation for those supporting the project and for the College’s physical education department.
“Everything will change but everything will stay the same,” he said. “The hoops will still be 10 feet high and the free throw line will still be 15 feet away. It’s the people who make the program.”
Guests also had the opportunity to hear from LaToshia Burrell, Trinity’s new head women’s basketball coach. “The expansion will bring new enthusiasm, pride, ownership, and a winning attitude campus-wide,” she said. “I am excited about building the future together.”
Juniors Jennifer Kramer of Modesto, California, and Dan Thayer of Buchanan, Michigan, provided music during the ceremony.
Development staff tossed toy basketballs into the surprised crowd, and guests then gathered in the Art and Communication Center for refreshments.
For more information or to be a part of this important project, call the Development office at 708.239.4806.