Mitchell Athletic Center

Bolstering recruitment at a DIII athletic and academic powerhouse.

At Denison University, the level of student participation in athletics is very high; with a total enrollment of approximately 2,100 students, close to 600 men and women play on NCAA Division II teams, 600 students are involved in club sports, and over 1,500 participate in intramurals.

In response to this level of participation, the university asked Hastings+Chivetta to renovate existing athletic facilities and provide a new 50-meter competition pool with a separate diving tank.

Four interconnected buildings built between 1951 and 1995 provide space for physical education, athletics, recreation, and training. Existing spaces were renovated and reorganized. The new addition includes a 50-meter competition pool, diving tank, athletic lockers and offices on the lower level, with a multi-purpose meeting space and balcony seating for 1,000 spectators accessible from the main level.

The main level of the addition also contains a new entry and lobby with hall of fame displays leading to the performance gymnasium, the existing 200-meter field house and the new natatorium. The existing pool was converted to a fitness center, which includes free weights, weight machines and cardio equipment on a mezzanine built over the existing spectator seating. With views into larger spaces below, the upper level offers work spaces, classrooms, meeting rooms, a large multipurpose room, a kitchen and staff locker rooms.

The combination of glass, metal panels and limestone complements the existing building and the surrounding campus. The footprint of the addition was designed to minimize the impact on site.

The project earned LEED Gold Certification.