Memorial Gymnasium Renovation Update

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.

Phase 5 - Tim Heimann Court

Tim Heimann 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 below are Anne and Roger Taylor, Cathy and Tim Heimann, and Nancy and Dushan Petrovich. (Photos from April 27)

Anne and Roger Taylor, Cathy and Tim Heimann, Nancy and Duke Petrovich

Phase 4 - Redoing the floor

By April 18, the floor had been completely shaved down. (Photos above from April 18)

After the painting was completed, work was started on shaving the floor down. (Photo above and photo below from April 14)

Week 4 renovations

Phase 3 - Painting

Painting was almost completed by the end of March. (Photo above from March 28)

The walls inside Memorial Gymnasium will be painted one consistent color. (Photo above and photo below from March 17)

Week 3 renovations

Phase 2 - Cleaning the gym

With the bleachers removed, the lights and supports above the floor were dusted. (Photos from March 11)

Week 2 renovations

Phase 1 - Removing the old bleachers

Week 1 renovations

By late afternoon on Wednesday, March 5, the bleachers had been removed from the east and west walls, and work was ongoing behind each baseline. (Photo above from March 5)

Week 1 renovations

The old bleachers were removed section by section, starting in the southwest corner of Memorial Gymnasium. (Photo above and photo below from March 3)

Week 1 renovations

Memorial Gym Renovations

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 extended 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."