Dayton Arena will host one last Bowdoin-Colby hockey game before passing the torch to the new Sidney J. Watson Arena.
The new arena, adjacent to Farley Field House, will see its first games in January, according to Director of Capital Projects Don Borkowski.
The Fitness, Health, and Wellness Center, also under construction, is expected to be ready for use during the 2009 fall semester.
Watson Arena, named after the late Bowdoin hockey coach and director of athletics, has a seating capacity of 1,900, similar to that of Dayton Arena. When Watson Arena opens, Dayton Arena will be demolished, with the land converted into a parking lot.
Dayton Arena, constructed in 1956, has more than served its time, Borkowski said.
"Dayton had exceeded its useful lifespan several years ago," said Borkowski. "The cost of renovating and replacing systems again was not a plausible option."
But as one Watson namesake rises, another one is scheduled to fall.
The new Fitness Center is a response to student demand.
"The existing Watson Fitness Center [housed in Smith Union] lacks adequate capacity to meet the needs of the current Bowdoin community," Borkowski said. "When it was renovated in the '90s, I don't think anyone anticipated the current wave of fitness popularity we are experiencing right now."
The new Fitness, Health, and Wellness Center will have four floors. The ground floor and first floor will house physical fitness facilities. The second floor will host the athletic department, including the athletic offices once located in the Morrell Gym complex.
Bowdoin's health and wellness programs will share space on the third floor, with a new medical office being introduced alongside areas to accommodate yoga, tai chi, and other wellness-related classes.
The new Fitness Center will almost double the amount of cardio equipment available, as well as increase the amount of weight training equipment. Notably, the number of treadmills available will increase from eight in the old Watson Fitness Center, to 18 in the new Fitness Center and elliptical machines from eight to 19.
Both buildings aim to respect the environment, with LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) certifications expected after completion.
Green initiatives for Watson Arena include an energy-efficient refrigeration system and its stormwater management plan; the new Fitness Center aims to receive credits for efficient use of windows and natural light.
In addition to current construction projects, the College also finished renovations on Adams Hall over the summer.
New additions to the buildings include the addition of an elevator tower and an entrance on the building's west side. A state-of-the-art Heating, Ventililation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system has also been installed.
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration & Treasurer Katy Longley was pleased with the results of the year-long construction project.
"The interior renovations are fantastic," said Longley, who oversees the College's capital projects. "The elevator probably has one of the very best views on campus, if you go to the top."
Borkowski said that no more construction projects are on the immediate horizon.
"Currently we are only in the planning stages with nothing to announce yet," he said, but "there is a planning committee working on how to best utilize Sargent Gym once the current fitness center moves out in 2009."
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