Coe fundraising for Eby, Hickok college facilities ahead of schedule

BACKGROUND

Coe College announced plans to improve campus facilities last fall.

The $23 million project includes renovations and expansion to Eby Fieldhouse and to Hickok Hall, which is home to various academic departments. Coe presented its largest capital project in history on the heels of a $900,000 upgrade to Clark Field, the school's football and track-and-field home.

The public fundraising phase began in October with construction set for this summer.

A new performance gymnasium able to seat more than 2,000 spectators will host basketball, volleyball and wrestling events and will replace the parking lots that currently sit next to Eby Fieldhouse, which was built in 1929.

The wrestling program will have a new practice room and locker room area on the same floor with classrooms located on an upper level, according to the project's plan.

Upgrades to the fitness area will be accompanied by a 'fitness bridge' above College Drive that connects the new field house with Clark Racquet Center. Students will be able to exercise on the enclosed bridge while overlooking the campus.

The south side, near the current pool, will contain a strength and conditioning area.

Eby Fieldhouse also will undergo a massive overhaul to better serve active students and other athletic programs.

WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE

Fundraising efforts have been a success and work on the buildings could start sooner than originally expected. Coe Athletics Director John Chandler said a groundbreaking ceremony with the board of directors is set for Saturday.

'Right now, we're finalizing our plans with our architects and builder,' Chandler said. 'The hope is we will get started the first week in May.'

The quiet phase for initial fundraising was successful, bringing in about $10 million. Since the Make Your Move campaign debuted in the fall, the school has received additional support.

'We've been working with alumni and friends of Coe College on various aspects of the project,' Chandler said. 'There are a lot of different fundraising opportunities and abilities for people to donate to different parts of the project.'

The renovations and additions are expected to be completed by fall 2017. Some of the current students and athletes will be able to use the new facilities. The objective is for this to benefit the entire campus.

'All those things will promote the wellness and activity level on the campus,' Chandler said. 'That was one of our main goals, and we needed the space for it.

'Students are active and they want to be active.'