Originally built in 1977 perched on the banks of the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie New York, the small 40-year-old-gym has been renovated to contemporary standards. The renovation consisted of a two-story addition, new locker rooms, faculty offices, lobby and an overhaul of the Field House.

When you enter the lobby and move past the warm wood paneled security desk area you are pleasantly surprised by the way the room changes from a single to a double height space. This generous area provides a convenient place to meet-up with your friends before and after a game or swim meet. The stairs located to the right lead straight to the Natatorium. Back downstairs the updated basketball court shines with a classic wood floor, retractable chair-back seats on the east and west side, more sizeable bleachers in the north end zone, and in opposite corners of the court there are two giant video boards. This modern bowl style seating is more advantageous in loud noise situations because it helps to build more excitement during a game.

As you continue past the lobby, the Field House is on your left, you are lead by the corridor to the newly built addition toward the back of the facility. Here a curtain wall of windows provides natural daylight to fill the space and lead you to the men’s and women’s locker rooms, meeting rooms and up the staircase to faculty offices. To help tie the addition to the original athletic center the same warm wood is continued in many aspects of each of these new spaces; red brick is used on the exterior, the walls are painted a pleasant shade of white, and the red fox school mascot can be seen on many details. Together all these elements help to communicate feelings of unity, welcoming and team spirit.

James J. McCann Athletic Center