Gym tradeoff: Won't close over academic year, but later opening

In exchange for a later opening date, the long-awaited $20 million overhaul of Gimbel Gymnasium -- which will create the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center -- will not close down the existing gym during the academic school year, officials announced last week. Construction will start this summer on the four-story addition that will add over 65,000 square feet to the current Gimbel space, according to the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics. Officials announced the finalized construction date last week and expect the renovated facility to open in 2003. In October, plans called for a more accelerated construction schedule -- beginning this summer -- that would have closed down the entire site, including Gimbel, the Katz Fitness Center and the Sheerr Pool during the next academic year. According to a DRIA statement, Provost Robert Barchi discussed options with the Undergraduate Assembly and the Committee on Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics, who were in favor of keeping Gimbel open. "We felt that depriving students, faculty and staff of the use of these facilities for an entire year was not worth the benefit of an earlier opening," Penn Athletic Director Steve Bilsky said. Vice President of Facilities Omar Blaik said that some utility relocation may start this summer. And the vendors that occupy the fresh air food plaza next to Gimbel will be relocated during construction. "During construction, [the vendors] cannot be where they are," Blaik said. "The question is what happens after construction." Blaik added that the University is currently in talks with vendors about the impact of Gimbel construction, but said it is too early for serious discussions. The University has not settled on a location for the food trucks, according to the University's top economic development official, Jack Shannon, who added that they are looking at areas along the 3700 block of Sansom Street. "We would definitely not move them across campus," Shannon said. Some food truck owners are worried about the move. Mike Lynch, owner of the Quaker Shaker truck next to Gimbel, said that he hopes the new site does not deter foot traffic. The current plaza is accessible from Walnut Street. "[The move] will have a negative effect on all of us -- some more than others -- unless they make it aesthetically pleasing," Lynch said yesterday, adding that the University talked last month about adorning the new plaza with tables and chairs. Although the completed facility will bear Pottruck's name, the Katz Fitness Center, Gimbel and the Sheerr Pool will remain within the larger structure and retain their names. The overhaul is funded primarily by a $10 million donation from 1970 College graduate David Pottruck, a University Trustee and co-chief executive officer of The Charles Schwab Corporation. Featuring over 18,000 square feet of dedicated fitness space, the Pottruck Center plans include aerobic, dance and martial arts instruction areas. The new facility will also offer a juice bar, pro shop and climbing wall -- along with classroom and administrative areas. University officials first addressed the need for better exercise facilities in 1996 when they hired a consulting firm to create a list of recommendations for the future development of athletic and recreational facilities on campus. As a result, Gimbel underwent $1.2 million renovations in 1998 for the construction of the ground-floor Katz Fitness Center.

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