Gallery: (2-10-2020) Kuch Center
Built in 1993, the Catherine M. and Harry G. Kuch Recreation and Athletic Center houses Alumni Gymnasium, Lenox Pool, Arcadia Athletic Hall of Fame, fitness center, an indoor elevated running track, aerobics and dance studio, locker rooms, athletic training room, and the Athletics and Recreation Department offices.
In February 2020, the Arcadia University completed its 2,500 square-foot expansion of the Kuch Center, a project that began back in mid-August 2019. Expansions, renovations, and newly-designed branding took place in the Kuch Center lobby and both the fitness and sports training centers.
The expansion project, funded through a combination of university capital dollars and previously-raised funds through a donor gift, comes as an avenue to parallel the continued growth of the Arcadia Athletic Department, which has expanded from 14 varsity sports in 2012 to what will be 26 by the 2021-22 academic year.
The exterior of the Kuch Center underwent major changes during the renovation process, as the main entrance is now black with chrome signage, including an LED-lighted 'Arcadia Knights' sign. Additionally, the Kuch Center was completely repainted and the exterior also features new up-down lighting across the entirety of the building. New university-branded benches were also added to the spaces in front of the lobby entrance.
The sports training center, located on the lower floor of the Kuch Center adjacent to the lobby, was expanded to provide additional training space - including a 5x20-yard section of turf flooring to allow for speed and agility work.
The second floor fitness center also features new equipment, including two Precore Squat Racks, two Assault Air Bikes and Air Runners, a full line of Paramount selectorized machines and a new set of dumbbells ranging from 5-100 pounds in addition to the existing cardio machines, allowing for a wider variety of exercise options with the expanded space. The fitness center now extends into the second floor lobby area. Both workout facilities are available to varsity student-athletes, faculty, staff, and students.
Additionally, the entire first floor of the Kuch Center received upgrades consisting of new flooring, personal storage lockers, branding, and a reception desk that features a new swipe system to enter the facility.
The building was renovated and expanded as part of the University Commons student center addition in 2012, giving a facelift to lobby and Alumni Gymnasium, new equipment in the fitness center, the addition of a new weight training room, and expanded office space for the Athletics and Recreation Department staff. The facility received more improvements in the summer of 2018. The weight room was renovated, as well as the locker rooms and athletic training rooms.
