Curl Gymnasium was built in 1929 for recreation and physical education to replace multi-purpose Kelly Hall in Main Building. Originally called simply “The Gymnasium,” it was renamed in memory of Joe Curl, longtime Antioch staff member following his death in 1943. Curl is thought to be the first black coach of a white college basketball team, and he himself was an outstanding baseball player. The East Gym houses a notable pastel mural executed in 1938 by Social Realist artist Gilbert Wilson. The three panels depict the course of humankind and are named “Collapse,” “Man Emerges” and “Order.”  A South Gym and pool were added in 1964.The following year the pool was enclosed with a roof. In 2014 a state-of-the-art renovation of the Wellness Center building was complete to symbolize Antioch’s continued dedication to its students and to the Yellow Springs community.

Designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements, the following sustainable design strategies have been incorporated into the Wellness Center.

Sustainable Sites

• Integrating a rain garden and dry wells into the landscape around the Wellness Center helps to reduce pollutants and returns storm water runoff into the ground instead of overwhelming the municipal storm water system.
• Bike racks near the entrance to the building encourage users to ride their bikes to the Center.
• The new roof’s highly reflective material mitigates creating a heat island effect.

Water Efficiency

• Low-flow fixtures installed throughout the building reduce water usage 20%-40% compared to a similar non-LEED building.
• The pool’s UV filtration system safely eliminates toxic chloramines and other disinfection by-products, requires less energy to operate and reduces water consumption resulting in a safer, greener, and easier to manage pool.

Energy and Atmosphere

• A campus-wide central geothermal plant heats and cools the building, working in conjunction with large, high volume fans in the gym spaces to increase efficiency.
• Energy efficient LED and fluorescent fixtures are installed and controlled by occupancy sensors to further reduce energy use.
• The original building is renovated and reconfigured to minimize waste and to preserve historic architectural elements. Demolished materials have been recycled instead of going into landfill.
• New materials like steel, concrete, carpet and flooring are made from recycled materials and come from regional manufacturers promoting the growth of the local economy while reducing transportation costs and energy.
• Wood used in the building is from certified suppliers and harvested sustainably.

Indoor Environmental Quality

• The building’s systems have been designed to ensure the delivery of fresh air into the building.
• All materials used in the building, from paints to carpeting, are low-emitting with little or no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
• The building has been “flushed out” prior to occupancy to remove any harmful compounds that may have accumulated during construction.
• The larger gym spaces have operable windows to allow for additional outdoor air on demand.

Innovation and Design Process

• The heat from the central geothermal plant along with waste heat from the pool dehumidification unit heats the pool water instead of using natural gas or electric energy.
• Heat from the central geothermal plant will also pre-heat the domestic hot water in the building.
• Strategies have been employed in the pool area to maximize daylight to reduce the reliance on artificial lighting.

Kathy Kern Ross, Director 

Kathy brings decades of experience in aquatics and sports program management to her position at the Wellness Center. She holds a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration holds multiple certifications, and has over 30 years of business, marketing, and non-profit organization experience.

Construction began in June 2013 to renovate the Wellness Center, the former Curl Gymnasium, located on the southwest end of the campus.  Contractors have rehabbed or reconfigured the 44,000-square-foot facility, preserving historic architectural elements of the building while upgrading for improved functionality and energy use and was completed in 2014.

The spaces in the renovated Wellness Center are designed for maximum flexibility and use in order to accommodate the diverse recreational and wellness needs of the college and the community.  As much as possible, walls were removed and spaces expanded to create a more open floor plan to encourage community interaction and participation.

Major renovations included: replacing and upgrading mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; installation of a newly insulated roof, windows, doors, and floors; exterior and interior masonry restoration to preserve existing brick; restoration of 2 racquetball courts; and the construction of new studio spaces, snack bar, locker rooms, restrooms, and lounge area.

In the natatorium, a brand new competition length pool was built with stainless steel walls and an eco-friendly UV filtration system.  Additional improvements to the pool area included a new concrete deck, a large therapeutic whirlpool, and new lighting.  New windows and doors were added to increase natural light and to better integrate the adjacent patio area to the pool.

Formerly not ADA compliant, the facility was brought up to code by installing an elevator, handicap lifts in the pool and whirlpool, ramps, and widening hallways.

Additional interior improvements included new paint and finishes throughout, new carpeting, furniture, light fixtures, tile, and the installation of ceiling fans for increased air circulation and comfort.

Renovations to the outside of the building include a beautifully landscaped courtyard with outdoor seating, an outdoor deck adjacent to the new swimming pool, a rain garden with native plantings, new sidewalks and a drop-off circle for motor vehicles.

The renovation cost $8 million dollars and achieved LEED certification upon its completion.