The process to renovate parts of the gymnasium to meet students’ needs has started, according to Lisa Putnam, dean of student learning.

The proposed renovations include the downstairs portion of the gym, the locker room, faculty offices, training room for injuries as well as surrounding areas, Putnam said. She projects that construction will start by next summer.

Athletes and faculty have been frustrated with the state of the building, which is also the oldest building on campus that hasn’t been renovated.

“It’s a 50-year-old building that doesn’t serve the needs of our athletic department,” said Athletic Director Howard Davis.

According to Davis, the building is in disrepair. The weight room is too small for the football team to train in, and is filled up with just half the team. Lack of space also forces them to leave their equipment outside.

“[This] goes hand in hand with our exercise science program, so they have an adequate space to practice their craft,” Davis said.

Lockers are too small for shoulder pads and helmets, which can be seen on top of and beside rows of lockers. Team meeting rooms are also far too small to be effective.

The training room is currently upstairs, which prevents ambulance access in case of injuries and emergencies.

“We currently meet all over and nowhere, [it’s] not a good situation,” Davis said.

The first step in this process is to establish priorities. A committee has been created to collect input from faculty, coaches and students. It will prioritize student needs and present them to an architect in October.

“They will bring outside perspective and tell us how realistic our wishes are,” Putnam said. “Once we get feedback we’ll go right back to our faculty and students to get input.”

The goals will then be reviewed again by key organizations that use the facility, like the fitness program and athletics department. They will then pass through administration, which includes the college president, executive vice president and the academic senate.

The renovations have been years in the making. Putnam states they have been planned since 2002, but costs were higher than anticipated and other parts of the campus, such as the parking structure, were renovated first.

Howard Davis has been pushing for improvements in the 10 years he has been at the college. He also stated how the previous athletic director retired out of frustration for this issue.

Davis cites President Luis Sanchez, who joined the college in the spring, as playing a major role in the process.

“He understands that it’s a priority, he understands the severe need,” Davis said.

Although cumbersome, the process is moving ahead, and Davis expects it to take at least two years till completion.