By the end of this year, the bland orange walls surrounding the Aquatic & Fitness Center should be gone -- revealing a new haven for both University fitness buffs and aspiring buffs alike, Intramural-Recreation officials said.
The new wing of the AFC should be open to patrons by December 2003.
The phase II project expansion, part of the original architectural plans drawn up in 1996 but delayed because of lack of funding, will enlarge the popular Alderman Road fitness center by 42,000 square feet.
The new wing will include multipurpose rooms for yoga and aerobics, more cardiovascular equipment, a raised indoor track and three basketball courts.
Doug Tammen, AFC associate director of informal recreation said the new space is sorely needed -- particularly when cold weather hits Charlottesville and students are forced to exercise indoors.
"We're standing room only right now," Tammen said.
When the new wing is finished late this year, there will be "no concern about not filling up," he added.
Because of the building's expanded capacity, the facility is expecting more members and students to drive and park at the AFC, said Vicki Smith, also an AFC associate director. But, she added, this potential parking nightmare should be easily avoided.
According to Smith, the largest influx of patrons usually occurs after 5 p.m. when the surrounding Scott Stadium parking lots are no longer ticketed, alleviating any serious parking problems.
"People may have to walk a little bit farther from their car, but at least they'll get a good warm up before they start seriously working out," Smith said.
The funding for the expansion is coming from student activity fees and membership fees from facility members.
"No tax money is being used to fund the project," Smith said.
Providing "architectural oversight" for the project is the Hughes Group Architects of Sterling, Va., who supervised the original construction of the AFC.
The firm has overseen renovations and improvements at other major colleges in the region including the University of Maryland, the College of William & Mary, and George Mason University.
Additionally, the group has been employed in past years by the University for two other projects -- the rehabilitation and expansion of Slaughter Recreation Center, and the construction of an aerobics/fitness studio at the North Grounds Recreation Center.
The first section of the AFC held its grand opening in June 1996, and since then 3 million users have come through its doors. At the time of its opening, the 98,500-square-foot facility more than doubled the University fitness program's physical presence on Grounds.
With this further increase in capacity, Tammen said he is optimistic this latest addition will lure more exercisers from the University community.
"We're not only adding opportunities for students, but faculty too," Tammen said.
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