The colors have been chosen for the squat racks, windows are going in and soon a crane will lower a large container into the courtyard — a container that will not only be used for storage of outdoor fitness equipment, but is itself a piece of fitness equipment.
Construction is progressing as planned on a 20,000-square-foot expansion of the Activities and Recreation Center, set to be completed by January.
“Things are moving on schedule,” said Deb Johnson, director of recreation, part of Campus Recreation and Unions.
She said the ARC has been functioning as best as can be expected in its temporary configuration, with strength-training equipment moved to a basketball court and cardio equipment relocated to the indoor running track.
“Our user numbers have remained stable,” she said. “Our patrons have been really patient.”
Construction crews are expanding the interior space partly into the courtyard and adding space to the second floor. All the while, the building is maintaining its airy, spacious feeling.
Campus Recreation leaders said they asked ARC users to rate the features they wanted most from the project. High on the list: strength-training equipment, natural light, more cardio equipment and functional fitness — movements like those performed with kettlebells, TRX straps, medicine balls and battle ropes.
The strength-training area of the ARC is growing the most, for triple the number of squat racks, more weight benches and additional spaces for training like tractor tires that can be flipped, weighted sleds that can be pushed and a continuous rope-training machine.
An outdoor space for yoga and functional training is being added, and the cycling studio is also gaining space.
The cardio equipment is also getting an upgrade: The equipment will be all new, with most facing out windows and offering personal screens where users can log into their Netflix accounts for entertainment while they exercise.
Other ongoing campus projects
The ARC is far from the only project keeping construction crews busy on campus this summer. Others include:
- Walker Hall — Long vacant, this historic building will be home to Graduate Studies and general-use classrooms after renovation and seismic fixes. The week of July 9, the construction crew clipped off the ends of the three wings on the south side of the building, to clear the way for a new path that will provide a straight shot between the Silo and Student Community Center, and the front door of Shields Library. The project is due for completion in late 2019.
- Tercero Dining Commons 2 — The new 500-seat dining hall and a retail dining venue are expected to be finished in late 2019.
- California Hall — The 600-seat lecture hall will be ready for classes by winter quarter.
- Olson Hall — Several classrooms are getting technology upgrades, new finishes and other renovations. About half of the classrooms in the building were renovated last summer, and the remainder are being renovated now.
- Recreation Pool — Construction is underway and the area will be open again — with separate recreation and lap pools, overhauled locker rooms and a sand volleyball court — by next summer.
- Controlled Environment Facility — The research growth chamber building located near the Life Sciences Building is being expanded.
- Memorial Union North Courtyard — Most concrete work and other hardscape is scheduled to be completed before fall quarter, with landscaping continuing after that.
- Schaal Aquatic Center — The work to add a Team Center with meeting and conference rooms, as well as offices for coaches, is expected to be complete this winter.
- Chemistry and Chemistry Annex — The addition of fire suppression equipment is underway and seismic work will begin soon. The fire suppression system installation will be completed in May 2019.
- Large Animal Support Facility — Construction is just getting underway on this barn for hay, bedding and vehicle storage. This project will be completed in March 2019.
- Webster Hall — The 370-bed student housing area is scheduled to be completed next summer. Watch the progress online.
- Third and A streets — The city of Davis is working here to tie its new and improved Third Street to the campus’s east entry. The Third Street project involves beautification as well as safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists.