Written by: Alissa Flores
Southern Adventist University faculty and students have been discussing new ideas and plans regarding the use of the Collegedale Academy (CA) Elementary gymnasium within the next few years.
CA Elementary is moving into a new building that is expected to be finished in 2025, according to a previous Accent article. One of the ideas for the building is to provide an additional venue so Southern students not taking part in intramurals could play sports regularly.
Judy Sloan, dean of the School of Health and Kinesiology, said courts in Iles P.E. Center are being utilized more frequently than in the past, which has led to reduced hours for open gym time. According to Sloan, this is due not just to an increase in intramural games, but other university events that use the facility during open gym hours.
In an interview with the Accent, Troy Walker, associate professor in the School of Health and Kinesiology and director of intramurals, said the large group of students who use the gym but do not play intramurals deserve an open recreational space.
“The intramural program cutting into open gym time is an issue that needs to be addressed,” he said.
Tom Verrill, senior vice president for Financial Administration, answered questions in an email interview about the university’s plans for future use of the buildings at the elementary school, and specifically regarding the gymnasium.
“First, it is important to acknowledge that plans for the use of the Collegedale Academy Elementary School building are preliminary and have not been finalized, other than it will be used primarily for academic/classroom space,” Verrill stated. “We are developing plans for various Allied Health programs that could be housed in this building, including a new Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Current plans are to utilize the gymnasium area as lab space for these programs.”
Although the department has tentative plans for future use of the gymnasium, Verrill said he would consider hearing out new possibilities.
“I really do think administration should seriously consider the gymnasium space for open rec for Southern students.”
“To this point, the possibility of using this gymnasium as ongoing open gym space for university students has not been explored,” Verrill stated. “Based on the situation as it has been outlined, university administration will need to review various possible uses for the gymnasium space and other spaces on campus to meet the needs of growing academic programs and student activities.”
When asked about the timeline for implementing such plans, Verrill explained that after the elementary school moves to its new location – which is projected to be in the summer of 2025 – work crews will need several months to renovate the space for university use. The earliest semester that the facility could be utilized is Fall 2026.
Trey Gettys, a Southern alumnus who has worked with the intramurals program since 2020, said he believes opening the elementary gym from time to time would be a great idea.
“With another court or two available in the new gym, many extra games could be played each week,” Gettys said. “There could also be the possibility of adding additional intramural sports, such as handball, with a new gym available.”
Gettys said during the winter months, when open gym time is minimal, he has had to ask groups of friends using the gym space to clear the courts for intramurals. He understands that it is an annoyance to students who want to play in the gym.
Carlos Torres, junior public relations major, is actively involved in sports on campus and has noticed the change in available gym time.
“There used to be a time in which we could just go to the gym and play whenever we wanted; there was still time to play,” Torres said. “Now we have to reserve our time way ahead of schedule to even have the chance to play. Sometimes, we don’t even get to play for weeks.”
Torres said that since the elementary gym is within walking distance and already has the amenities necessary for recreational use, Southern should use the building for intramurals.
Sloan agrees.
“I really do think the administration should seriously consider the gymnasium space being used as a space for open rec for Southern students because it already exists,” Sloan said. “I believe that our administration listens, and then tries to make the best decision that would impact the students in the most positive way possible.”
According to Walker, the School of Health and Kinesiology will make many decisions based on factors such as budget, supervision and coverage. To implement students’ use of the gym would require hiring paid student workers and ensuring the availability of equipment for checkout.
Sloan said she believes this idea is attainable, but considering that it will be some time before the buildings are ready for use, now is the time to have these kinds of conversations.
“It really is an issue that we’re facing,” Torres said. “And even though to some it might seem minor, it’s still something that’s very relevant to the student population.”
