After months of planning and construction, the University unveiled the completion of the Ganus Activities Complex and newly renovated Hammon Student Center.
The new two-story fitness center overlooks East Park Street and will now be utilized for a variety of exercise programs and recreational activities. The student center was renovated to include the addition of a Panda Express and the expansion of the existing Chick-fil-A.
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer Dr. Mel Sansom plays an integral role in the finances associated with campus construction.
“We budgeted $5.4 million for the GAC, which is all-inclusive,” Sansom said. “We think it may come in around $5.6 million. However, we are still capturing the cost and reviewing all the documents. (The Student Center expansion) was budgeted at $1.2 million.”
The GAC’s multi-million dollar renovation features a two-story weight room, indoor running track, cycling room, game room, billiard room and divided volleyball and basketball courts. Dr. Stephen Burks, chair of kinesiology, worked closely with architect Mike Steelman, Director of Recreation Tom Ritchie and Director of Special Projects David Kelly in order to create the renovation.
“We got exactly what I envisioned,” Burks said. “We more than doubled our recreation space … Our weight and cardio classes will have a lot better equipment to work with.”
Senior Vice President Jim Carr said the renovation of the GAC exceeded his expectations.
“The new renovation will allow our students to improve their physical well-being, while also assisting them in fostering friendships that will last them the rest of their lives,” Carr said.
Sophomore Frank Herbert plays defensive back for the Bisons. Hebert plans to use the GAC for basketball and ping pong.
“The GAC renovation caters to students well,” Hebert said. “They have everything they need. It will most definitely get a lot of use from the students. It’s already killing it, every day, all day.”
The Hammon Student Center’s remodel enlarged Chick-fil-A’s kitchen, which has allowed the restaurant to offer more products on their menu, such as milkshakes. According to Sansom, Panda Express was highly requested by students when Harding conducted a survey before construction planning began. Sansom said he loves how it turned out.
Panda Express is open from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Thursdy and from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday. The GAC has extended hours Monday through Friday, 5:15 a.m.-11 p.m.
“We want to take care of our students,” Burks said. “We tried to build something they would want and so far it has been well used.”
