The Gillom Sports Center, home to Ole Miss volleyball, rifle, soccer and softball, is set to undergo a $7.8 million renovation from now through summer 2017.
The volleyball team will practice in the C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum and play home matches in The Pavilion while the facility is undergoing renovation. Coaches’ offices and locker rooms for rifle, soccer and softball have all been relocated.
Lynnette Johnson, executive associate athletic director of Ole Miss Athletics, said the volleyball team has adjusted well to facility changes for practices and matches.
“The team has been great about using multiple venues to practice and compete this year,” Johnson said.
The Gillom Sports Center is undergoing a $7.8 million renovation from now through summer 2017. (Photo by Chase Roberts)
The renovations being made to the 54,142 square-foot building include two new film rooms, a new weight room, an athletic training room and small exterior training area.
The indoor tennis courts previously located in the facility will not be returning. Another project constructing an indoor tennis facility separate from the Gillom Center is in the works for the future.
Director of Facilities Planning Ian Banner said the age of the building is what spurred the need for renovation.
“The building is 18 years old, and the uses and needs of athletics have changed,” he said. “A lot of it was out of date.”
Banner said the interior of the building will look entirely revamped when renovation is complete.
“The building has basically been completely gutted on the inside and will appear new on the inside even though it’s a renovation,” he said.
Head Rifle Team Coach Marsha Beasley said the renovation has not had a negative impact on the members of the Rifle Team; however, it has affected the coaches.
With four consecutive wins at home, Head Volleyball Coach Steven McRoberts said the change of venue for home matches has not affected the team’s play but instead amped up the crowds.
“We are 4-0 at home and the crowds have been really loud and into matches,” McRoberts said. “Playing in the best basketball venue in the nation is a great consolation prize to play in as the Gillom gets renovated.”
Freshman volleyball player Nicole Purcell said the team is looking forward to training and competing in a newly-renovated facility, and the renovations being done will benefit the volleyball program greatly.
“We’re all just really excited to be in a new facility with a new weight room, new gym and a new locker room,” Purcell said. “I think it will benefit us a lot. We’re just going to become closer and have some amazing matches there.”
