Ripon College, Willmore Center

Ripon, Wisconsin

Firm

Kahler Slater

Client

Ripon College

Area

164,021 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$23,500,000

Completion Date

09/2017

Design team: Jeff Piette, AIA; Scott Lousier, AIA, LEED AP BD+C; Adam Bastjan, AIA, LEED AP; Chad Bloedel, AIA

Because of heavy use by athletes, students, staff and the community, the undersized Athletic and Wellness Center at Ripon College had become vastly outdated. The condition of the 1960s building revealed its age, and it lacked many of the amenities students expect. A significant renovation and expansion of the building transformed the dated facility into the primary center for wellness, athletics, intramural and club sports. It is also open to community members and hosts track meets and summer programs.
The new Willmore Center provides an open, inviting and active space, and offers wellness opportunities for each type of guest. The new facilities include academic, fitness and hangout spaces; dining and study space; athletic department offices; exercise studios; gym spaces; locker rooms; recruiting and club spaces; and several other enhancements.
A new field house, which has a NCAA regulation 200-meter track and basketball/tennis courts, anchors the design. The wellness center, more than twice the size of the old facility, was designed to attract the surrounding community. Like the rest of the facility, it has already had a positive effect on Ripon College’s student enrollment.