Construction continues for one of Indiana University's most historic buildings as the Bill Garrett Fieldhouse undergoes renovations. Due to limited access to the fieldhouse until next summer, students are experiencing overcrowding and frustration at the Student Recreational Sports Center.
Hannah Armstrong, associate director of operations for Recreational Sports, said in an emailed statement that the goal of the project is to improve the facility, built in the late 1920s, into a more modern space. The project is slated to be completed by summer next year.
The construction mainly focuses on infrastructure improvements, such as installing new air handling systems, ductwork, fans and plumbing infrastructure.
Other improvements will include updated classrooms and labs, which Armstrong said will benefit students. Those labs, she said, will have improved lighting and airflow.
Also among the list of the project’s plans is a new locker room next to Royer Pool. Hayden Hurst, a freshman, said he is excited about gaining access to these new spaces.
"I'm hoping to see the construction being done as fast as possible so I can utilize the Fieldhouse to get some exercise in between classes," Hurst said. “It’s getting exhausting when walking up the hill to the SRSC.”
IU freshman Savya Dhingra said he plans to use the facilities as a sophomore next fall.
"I can’t wait to play basketball with my friends once it’s finished,” he said. “I'm excited."
Construction on Bill Garrett Fieldhouse has brought frustration for some students. With the fieldhouse temporarily closed, the SRSC has experienced increased congestion as students look for alternatives to get their exercise in. Dhingra and Hurst said there have been longer wait times for equipment. The gym’s group fitness classes are packed, they said, and the facility is filled to the brim during peak hours.
“Ever since the construction started, I’ve had to cut my workouts short or skip them because the gym is too packed,” freshman Felix Manu, a frequent gymgoer, said.
The overcrowding at the SRSC affects students' daily routines and workout schedules, sometimes even discouraging students from going entirely, freshman Myles Houston said.
"I feel less inclined to go because the wait times can be frustrating," Houston said. “When I want to play basketball with my friends, the courts are all full, and when I want to get a lift in, most of the machines have a wait time.”
The renovation follows a two-phase approach, with phase one completed and phase two underway.
Armstrong said phase one focused on initial improvements and updates to parts of the building. Phase two will involve more major mechanical work. More details are expected in fall 2026.
Armstrong said using this strategy allows portions of the building to remain functional while construction continues in other sections. While this helps reduce some of the disruption, students still face limited access to a full range of facilities.
