A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held at Clarion University for the renovation of Tippin Gymnasium, the University’s primary NCAA athletic venue. Besides helping the University recruit top-notch athletic talent, once completed, the 155,000 square foot complex will better connect to the surrounding campus and community with a more open and transparent building design. Renovations to the existing gymnasium will include a new entrance and lobby, complete overhaul of the basketball courts and seating, natatorium renovation with a new combination swimming/diving pool, expanded areas for wrestling, new weight room, new locker rooms and restrooms and a new auxiliary gymnasium.

The project was designed by a joint venture of DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design of Pittsburgh, PA and GUND Partnership of Cambridge, MA. The early design goal was to bring the facility up to contemporary standards, bring light into the facility and optimize social exchanges among students. The new gymnasium will better serve student-athletes and the entire intercollegiate athletic program, as well as create new opportunities for physical fitness, nutrition and wellness programming. The project is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council and is expected to be complete in Sept 2019.