As construction on the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex continues and construction on the Anderson Student Center begins, planning is underway for a potential renovation project on St. Thomas’ McCarthy Gym.

St. Thomas internal construction staff met Monday, Feb. 1, for its regular meeting and discussed possible renovation ideas for the South Campus gym.

“It’s getting close to 50-60 years old and is showing its wear, not only in terms of age, but in terms of practicality for our student population,” said Mark Vangsgard, vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer.

To improve student activity and convenience, the construction staff is looking at keeping the current basketball court, renovating the locker room to accommodate both genders, creating additional spaces for cardio and weightlifting equipment, providing a separate room for the crew team to practice and draining the pool to replace it with a non-wood sports court.

“We just feel, given the age of the facility, that this is the most practical thing to do,” Vangsgard said.

The McCarthy Gym was originally built in 1968 by the St. Paul Seminary before its affiliation agreement with St. Thomas. This has lead to issues with the locker rooms, which were designed for men. In addition, the cost of maintaining and operating the McCarthy pool is approximately $125,000 a year.

“With the building of the new Athletic and Recreation Complex and Aquatic Center, we really need to find ways to consolidate and save money, and this institution always tries its best to be efficient with student dollars and student tuition,” Vangsgard said. “With the new center, we will have a spectacular facility with plenty of room for not only our varsity swimmers but recreational swimmers as well.”

Some students excited, others indifferent

For some students like freshman Renate Hohman, the renovations won’t make a difference in their daily campus routines.

“I have never been there,” Hohman said. “I don’t even know where or what it is.”

For other students like junior Kristy Elsen, the renovations will improve their experience of a gym they currently use.

“It’s hard to say what’s going to happen with them putting in the new Anderson building, but I really think they should definitely keep the racquetball courts,” Elsen said. “The gym just needs a little facelift I think.”

The project is expected to begin sometime in May and will not interfere with construction on the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex and the Anderson Student Center.

Ashley Stewart can be reached at stew1177@stthomas.edu.