Renovations on Memorial Gymnasium were started on Monday, March 3. When work is completed don't expect a new look for the facility, which was built in 1951. The recommended enhancements are designed to retain the integrity of the “historic feel” of Memorial Gym while improving the facilities for the teams and spectators.

July 2008 - Bleachers Completed

June 2008 - Installing bleachers

May 2008 - Installation of sound system

April 2008 - Dedication of Tim Heimann Basketball Court

With the floor painted, Knox had a surprise floor dedication on Sunday, April 27, when the court was named Tim Heimann Court after the 24-year Knox head men's basketball coach who retired from coaching at the end of the 2007-08 season. Pictured are Anne and Roger Taylor, Cathy and Tim Heimann, and Nancy and Dushan Petrovich.

April 2008 - Refinishing the floor

March 2008 - Painting

March 2008 - Removing the old bleachers

Memorial Gym Renovations: Background and Project Details

The current wooden bleachers will be replaced by automatic-retracting wooden bleachers, which will make the gym easier to operate while allowing the facility to retain its historic-gym look.

After the current bleachers are torn out, the walls will be painted one consistent color and the floor will be redone. Then the new bleachers will be installed. The $500,000 renovation will also include a new ventilation system, a state-of-the-art sound system, acoustical panels to improve sound, scoreboard upgrades, new banners and logos, and a new scorers’ table with modern hookups.

The renovations then extend into the foyer. The lobby renovations will include updating the concession stand and retrofitting the men’s and women’s restroom facilities to provide handicap accessibility.

Duke Petrovich ’74 and his wife Nancy got the project rolling. Duke, a member of Phi Gamma Delta and senior vice president and chief administrative officer of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, has always had a strong interest in Knox athletics. He also had a close relationship with Knox basketball coach Tim Heimann ’70 and his wife Cathy ’70. The Petroviches’ son Steve ’06 was a member of the Prairie Fire men’s basketball and men’s tennis teams. Duke and Nancy came forth with a leadership gift of half of the total needed to complete the $500,000 project. Tom Anderson ’66 and his wife Sue ’71 later agreed to join in and came forward with a $100,000 gift for the renovation.

“Both the Petroviches and the Andersons are serving as examples of how capital projects can happen,” said Knox College Vice President for Advancement Beverly Holmes. “They have a passion for this project, they have enthusiastically supported it, and they have encouraged others to come on board with them. Because of their work, this project has moved forward very quickly. This is the way you would hope most capital fund-raising projects would happen.”

RELATED LINKS

Knosher Bowl Renovations
Knosher Bowl groundbreaking
Memorial Gymnasium Renovation
Fitness & Athletics Initiatives