Athletics Announces Howard Gymnasium Renovations

Photo featuring a team huddle during timeout during a 2017 Lyons volleyball game.

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Mount Holyoke College director of athletics Lori Hendricks recently announced the approval of renovations to the College's Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium within the Kendall Sports & Dance Complex. The project, which is set to begin this summer, is an estimated $1.5 million upgrade.

"We know that our athletic venues are critical learning laboratories, so there is no surprise that the College continues to invest in these spaces," explained Hendricks. "We know the importance of the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium as both a practice and competition venue for our varsity volleyball and basketball teams, and it also serves as a home for a number of club sport teams and physical education courses. These renovations will significantly improve the venue for all users."

The renovations on the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium will see a number of changes to the space that will improve the overall look of the venue and air quality.

The timing of the project is set to begin in May with demolition beginning after graduation on May 20, 2018. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by mid-August before the Fall 2018 preseason begins. Once demolition begins, there will be no access to the gymnasium until it has been completed.

The updates to the gymnasium come following several other upgrades over the past three years. During the spring of 2017, a new sound system was installed in the gym. During the summer of 2015, extensive work went into renovating Mount Holyoke's soccer field, which replaced existing grass and top soil, along with the irrigation system. Additionally, the field house within Kendall was also updated as a new floor (spike-friendly) and curtain system were installed around the indoor track and the indoor tennis courts. That project was completed in the Spring of 2016 with the cost of both projects around $1.5 million.