After six months of construction, the renovation of Powell Fitness Center is almost complete. Soon, student-athletes will enjoy their own weight and conditioning room when the facility increases its size from 5,600 square feet to 9,000 square feet.While the existing weight room will remain open to the ACU public, additional space has been added to accommodate the training needs of the 400 student-athletes. Currently, student-athletes share the facility with other students, faculty and staff.
With more than 2,000 men and women using the facility every week, a designated student-athletic area became necessary, said David Hess, strength and conditioning coach at ACU.
"The expansion of Powell is great for our athletic programs," said Hess. "ACU is currently the only university in the Lone Star Conference that employs a full-time strength and conditioning coach. Having the extra space will enhance the year-round training of our athletes."
Construction costs for the renovation were funded by a generous donation from J. Lee Powell (’79), of Paducah, Ky., president of Old Hickory Clay Company. He is also the grandson of the facility’s namesake. New equipment for the weight room was purchased through a gift from Ron Willingham ('54), CEO and founder of Integrity Systems, Inc., an international training and development company in Phoenix, Ariz.
More than 50,000 pounds of weights and 20 pieces of state-of-the-art equipment will fill the new weight room. The room was designed with an open floor plan to facilitate conditioning exercises, said Hess.
"The ACU athletic department is grateful for people like the Powells and Ron Willingham who have helped to advance our athletic programs," said Wally Bullington, athletics director emeritus. "The additional space and new equipment will greatly improve the way we train our student-athletes."
Powell first opened its doors in 1993 to ACU students, faculty, staff and alumni. For more information about Powell Fitness Center, please call 325-674-2965.
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