Online viewers can now see that renovations are well under way at the Angela Athletic Facility at Saint Mary’s College. The College has added two cameras on campus so supporters of the College can track the facility’s progress for the next year.
Saint Mary’s Director of Athletics Julie Schroeder-Biek said the live cameras are for people away from campus, like donors and parents of students.
“It is a visual progress report to those not on campus,” Schroeder-Biek said.
Access to the cameras can be found on Saint Mary’s Athletics page under the “Renovations” tab. With the cameras facing north and south of the construction, viewers can see the scope and size of the project.
“It’s just kind of cool to see,” Schroeder-Biek said.
Schroeder-Biek said the campus uses live cameras whenever there is construction. The last time was when Spes Unica Hall was being built.
Right now, viewers can see the excavation of where the aerobic and weight training area used to be. Schroeder-Biek said that area will become the field house and gym floor.
Because of the renovations, all but three athletics offices are torn down. Most of the department has relocated to temporary offices in Dalloways Club House.
Currently, with construction, the gym is being slowly closed off to athletic teams.
Basketball coach Melissa Makielski said the temporary walls of the gym are not hindering practice for her team.
“What we need day to day is not impacted,” Makielski said.
While the construction has taken away the bleachers in Angela, Makielski said the other teams they play have well-made facilities.
“We’re fortunate we play in a conference that has nice facilities,” she said.
For Schroeder-Biek, part of the challenge of the new construction is finding space for teams to practice in the spring.
“[We] lose the building on March 1,” Schroeder-Biek said. “[We are] working on alternate space for spring sports.”
The renovations are also adding the Saint Mary’s Health and Counseling Center along with spaces for the community. According to the Saint Mary’s Athletics page, the renovations will also have areas for socialization and a new café that will feature healthy foods.
Other added features include rooms for fitness classes and an elevated track.
Schroeder-Biek said the renovations, especially the addition of socialization space, will add to the Saint Mary’s community.
“Anytime you build, it shows investment in the students,” Schroeder-Biek said. “Everyone will benefit from this building.”
“I think it’s going to add a nice dimension for what Saint Mary’s has to offer,”Makielski said.
Schroeder-Biek said she was excited that the new facility will be as beautiful as the rest of campus.
“It’s going to beautify the back door of campus. It’s going to tie us in with the beauty of Saint Mary’s campus,” Schroeder-Biek said.
The building is expected to be completed in January 2018.
