On an otherwise quiet Central College campus, Kuyper Gymnasium thunders with activity as concrete cutters and sledgehammers work their magic and the next phase of renovation through the Forever Dutch initiative hits full stride. The $3 million phase, generated by more than 2,600 donors, launched Feb. 24 and is on target for an Aug. 3 completion of a transformed lower level to the 51-year-old building, in time for the arrival of fall sports athletics teams. The renovation includes construction of a spacious women’s varsity locker room with a team meeting room, a reconfigured athletic training room that will provide more treatment space and an expanded athletics equipment room.

Athletic Director Eric Van Kley says workers are completing final demolition in old locker room spaces as well as in one of the H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse racquetball courts. He says renovation progress has been accelerated with the college’s transition to remote learning for the remainder of the spring semester.

More than $15 million has been raised for the ongoing Forever Dutch® initiative, which includes the 2017 $12 million building expansion. Fund-raising is continuing for the next $3 million phase, a renovation of the building’s upper level. That will feature team meeting space, a new welcome center, recruitment space, offices and visitor locker room. Contributions can be made via forever.central.edu.