Pottruck Center Will Change "Campus Culture"

The David S. Pottruck Health and Fitness Center will change the "culture of the Penn campus," predicts Dr. Michael J. Diorka, Penn's Director of Recreational Sports.

To earlier generations accustomed to simple exercise like push-ups, chin-ups and lifting weights, the idea of spending millions of dollars on cardiovascular fitness, aerobics, aquatic activities, or "spinning" might appear quixotic. But attitudes change and today's emphasis on fitness and recreation, particularly the individualized variety, has swept college campuses.

The David S. Pottruck Health and Fitness Center will combine with Gimbel Gymnasium to create a new multi-purpose activity area designed for campus sport totaling 115,000 square feet. Construction on the three-story, sky-lit center began this past summer and is projected to be complete in 2003. Naming opportunities are available.

Five years ago when the Pottruck Center was under consideration, most students used 80-year-old Hutchinson Gym at the east end of campus - far from the dorms and hi-rises - to lift weights and work out. "Improved athletic facilities," was a common request from students, who argued that such a space would lure more and better students to Penn, in addition to raising the mental and physical health of the student body.

The opening of the Katz Fitness Center in Gimbel Gymnasium in 1999 was the first step in creating a modern, accessible facility. The Pottruck Center will build upon this initiative in significant ways.

The 65,000-square-foot, three-story, sky-lit Center is named for the principal donor, University Trustee David S. Pottruck, C'70, WG'72, who once lifted weights in Hutchinson Gym when he wrestled and played football for Penn as an undergraduate.

The design calls for the Center to be linked with the existing 50,000 square feet of Gimbel Gymnasium, creating a new multi-purpose activity area totaling 115,000 square feet.

Dave Martin finds that lifting weights is a great stress reliever.

"The creation of the Pottruck Center will allow the University to address the critical needs of our students and the entire University community for indoor recreational space," said Athletics Director Steven J. Bilsky, W'71.

"In addition to the obvious health benefits, I believe the Pottruck Center will be one of the most popular social hubs on campus. This is a wonderful opportunity for alumni to support a project that will have a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of our students," Bilsky added.

Users of the Pottruck Center will find a climbing wall, cardiovascular fitness room, and sauna, as well as aerobics, weight and spinning rooms, all in a centralized location next to Gimbel Gymnasium. Gimbel Gym includes three basketball courts and Sheer pool.

Julie Steinberg looks forward to the Pottruck Center's sophisticated equipment, which she says will strengthen her workout.

When asked during a recent morning workout, students mentioned stress and academic pressure as reasons they value their time in the gym and look forward to the expanded and upgraded facilities.

"Working out is a great stress reliever, a way to take your mind off things," said sophomore Dave Martin, who lifts weights regularly in the Katz Gym.

"This gives me a lot of energy to get through the day, which is especially important at an academically challenging school like Penn," said Dana Sandberg, during her daily "run" on the treadmill. "I used to run outside, but I get a harder workout here, and the machines allow me to monitor how I'm doing."

For Wharton freshman and personal trainer Julie Steinberg, the Pottruck Center will mean more sophisticated equipment like "hammer and cybex machines." She also looks forward to the "spinning room," one of the hottest new fitness activities that will be greatly expanded in the new facility.

Others believe the Pottruck Center will instill pride, make Penn more attractive to prospective applicants, and help keep students on campus. Perhaps its greatest value for most users, however, will be the individualized activities most frequently in demand on today's campuses.

The Center's scheduled opening in 2003 has generated great anticipation. Hits on Penn's recreation website are running at 20,000 a week. A time-lapse camera is capturing the Center's progress and can be viewed at any time at www.facilities.upenn.edu

Pottruck Center Naming Opportunities:

Climbing Wall - $150,000
Weight-Training Fitness Rooms (3) - $150,000 each
Cardiovascular Fitness Room - $150,000
Main Locker Rooms (2) - $100,000 each
Golf Room - Sold!
Spinning Room - $50,000
Aerobics Training Room (2) - $50,000 each
Instructional Room (2) - $50,000 each
Intercollegiate Swimming Coaches' Office - $50,000
Intercollegiate Swimming Locker Rooms (Men's) - Sold!
Intercollegiate Swimming Locker Room (Women's) - Sold!

For information regarding naming opportunities, call Decker Uhlhorn, 215-898-4717.

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