Andres Rivera
Web Editor

After months of demolishing and reconstructing, the Sports Science and Athletic Pavilion was officially unveiled Tuesday to a crowd of donors, faculty and other members of the community.

The ceremony began with a reception in the Frank and Nadine Johnson Family Plaza followed by guided tours of the Pavilion.

President Stephen Morgan gave a brief presentation to the crowd thanking key individuals in the renovation process.

“It was worth the wait and worth the inconvenience,” Morgan said.

Among the people recognized for their involvement with the project were Todd and Kurt Rothweiler of K.A.R. Construction Inc., the project’s general contractor and donors.

Mark von Wodtke and Jeff Veenema from Claremont Environmental Design Group, Inc., were the project’s architectural team.

The firm has also worked on other University buildings like the conversion of the Barley and Arts and Communications buildings.

Former Director of Facilities Management Brian Worley and Deputy Vice President for Major Projects and Campus Development Roger Hardy both oversaw the renovations.

Michael Brown donated the steel for the pavilion’s infrastructure and was also active in the University acquiring 20 acres of land south of Arrow Highway known as the Brown property.

Also recognized at the ceremony was Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen for naming the pavilion as one of the seven wonders of the Inland Valley.

Allen was presented with a framed section of the column.

Two students represented the movement and sports science department during the afternoon reception.

The first student was senior athletic training major Theresa Reyes.

She commented on how the renovation experience has strengthened the department and her.

Reyes also commented on the positive attributes of the new pavilion.

“Classes are better taught and received,” Reyes said.

When other schools come to visit, they are amazed at the pavilion and what the building has to offer its students, Reyes said.

“It looked more like a circus tent. It was great before, but better now,” said Brendan Hallinan, a senior movement sports and science major.

Following Reyes, Hallinan also spoke on his experience during the renovation.

Hallinan pointed out the changes and how they have been for the better.

“It helped bring an attraction to the athletics program,” Hallinan said.

University Relations employees were available to give guided tours after the presentation.

The tour highlighted the new features that the pavilion boasts.

The Pavilion’s interior structure was changed from the free-flowing circular structure to a network of rectangular enclosures, which is an economic use of the space, tour guides pointed out.

Included on the ground floor are 24 new private offices, smart classrooms, a new football locker room complete with shower and toilet facilities, a new 2,659 -square-foot training room with a hydrotherapy room and a private exam room and a new 4,200-square-foot weight room with new equipment.

The main floor features the refurbished Frantz Athletic Court, an athletic training lab, a kinesiology lab, two multipurpose rooms, a cardio workout area, new ceiling insulation and sun panels, a new equipment storage room and a new aerobics and dance studio.

Another addition to the Pavilion that the University Relations employees pointed out during the tour was the installation of the glass encased Athletic Hall of Fame near the front entrance.

The Hall of Fame area, which has not been finished contains a section of the wood floor from the Old Gym installed for posterity and other sports memorabilia from teams in ULV’s athletic history.

“It’s an efficient use of space and something you can be proud of,” said Jerry Davis, a La Verne resident and former ULV student.

The unveiling ended with a final recognition of the key individuals during the women’s volleyball competition against Pomona-Pitzer which the Leopards went on to win, 3-0.

The recognized individuals were presented with plaques in appreciation of their efforts.

Andres Rivera can be reached at arivera3@ulv.edu.