I ~ TH.\ ~I l' H .\L S ~ H In spring 2015, Harding officials announced renovations would be made to several parts of campus, including the expansion of the Ganus Athletic Center. During the fall semester, the front of the building was fenced off, allowing exterior construction to begin. On Dec. 4, the GAC gymnasium locked its doors and was not scheduled to reopen until fall 2016. The renovation plans included new racquetball courts, a two-story weight room, added volleyball courts, a new game room and an indoor walking track; however, the renovations also affected certain aspects of student life. In an effort to accommodate indoor club and intramural sports, outdoor sports seasons were postponed until spring 2016 to be played while the GAC was closed. This meant moving basketball to the fall and shortening a few sports' seasons. Senior Taylor Sherril said the changes to her intramural volleyball schedule were a little hectic, but the season went as smoothly as possible. "It has seemed like there was a little bit of chaos sometimes, but not necessarily in a bad way because I think the renovations are extremely needed," Sherril said. "The GAC employees have been so good about keeping everything clean and orderly. They keep it almost immaculate and make sure everyone is safe." TI1e renovations also meant playing in a gym that was somewhat under construction. In addition to club and intramural sports, the GAC provided a facility for daily pick-up basketball, volleyball and racquetball games. While it was contained and kept safe for students,junior Jacob Meeks said the wood that had replaced portions of the walls made the gym much colder to play in. He believed closing the GAC would affect many students' daily lives, not just club and intramural sports. "I know personally I am going to have to try to find something else to do with my time," Meeks said. "There are a lot of people that go and play basketball every single day. I know it is going to impact me and people that have a routine of going there to play often, but I am excited for it, too, because I think it needs to be done." While all of the intramural season switch-ups did not make his job any easier, Tom Ritchie, director of intramural sports, said he thought all of the new renovations would be worth the inconvenience. "It will be an imposition, but hopefully when we reopen it will be twice as nice," Ritchie said. "We are hoping to bring more people into the building so that it becomes more of a gathering center for students. It will take some getting used to, but it will be a whole new recreational center." By ToriC1 l'C1rrett .J1111ior .Jake L~dd/c:man dribbles towcll"cl the basket in the Gcrnu., Athletic Center on Not•. 16. All intramurul onu club indoor sports. i11cludi11y bosket ball. wr,·e rescheclulecl to the fall to c1ccommodC1tC' GAC renovations planned for the spring. I Photo by Owen Brown Freshman Abbye Sheannire re<JChesfo,· the basketball during an inlrcrnwral game 011 Nov. 23 in the Carats Athletic Center. Shearmire was a member of the i11trwm1ral team "Bomb Squod." I Photo by Owen lfrown
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