County approves Sweet Briar gym

By Mike Morell

Published: April 22, 2008

Sweet Briar College recently cleared a major hurdle in its process to construct a fitness and athletic center.

At a joint meeting of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission on April 15, approval was given to allow a zoning special exception for the construction of the 53,000 square-foot building.

“The building will be located in the central area of the 656-acre college campus,” County Planning Director Jeremy Bryant said. “The exception is needed because the whole of the campus is zoned agricultural.

Bryant said that the site was served with public water and sewer by the Town of Amherst.

“As the new facility will mostly be serving Sweet Briar staff, faculty and students there should be no impact on traffic on U.S. 29,” he said. “The plan also calls for 31 additional parking spaces to go with the new facility.”

Commissioner Don Hedrick asked about the height of the building and Commissioner Bob Fener asked if there were any plans for green or energy efficient features.

“The building will be 39 feet high at the eaves,” engineer Patrick Proffitt of Hurt & Proffitt said.

As far as energy efficiency, Proffitt said there were a few features but did not go into detail.

With no public comment in favor of, or against the request, the planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the project. With no discussion, the board of supervisors approved it.

Construction is scheduled to begin in May and expected to be completed by the fall of 2009.

While plans for the new building were under development in mid 2007, the college did not authorize the construction of the multi-million dollar project until February of this year.

The new fitness and athletic center is designed to fit in with the early 20th century architectural style of the Williams Gymnasium, to which it will be attached. It will include two racquetball courts and an elevated running track.

“It can be used either for three basketball, volleyball or tennis courts or some combination of the three,” Paul Davies, vice president for finance and administration, said in a press release from the college. “The multipurpose surface is soft enough for sports, yet resilient enough to accommodate tables and chairs.”

The building will also include a hall of fame to recognize athletes as well as expanding office and classroom space for athletic and wellness programs.

“Our athletic department now has everything for the serious athlete — the commitment, the coaching staff and the building” Kelly Morrison, Sweet Briar’s athletics director said in a published statement. “The building was the missing piece.”