by Mick Rhodes | mickrhodes@claremont-courier.com

Pomona College broke ground Wednesday on a $43 million expansion of its Athletic and Recreation Center.

The new 95,000-square-foot facility at 220 E. Sixth St. will provide additional space for the Pomona-Pitzer athletics program.

The project will be a mix of renovations and new construction and introduce 15,000-square-feet for additional training and weight rooms, dedicated areas for cardio exercise, athletic department offices, and expanded locker rooms.

The job is headed up by C.W. Driver Companies, a California builder since 1919. It is scheduled to be finished by fall 2022.

Situated at the heart of the campus, the new sports facility and main entrance will serve as a campus focal point, featuring an expansive arrival lobby and prominent display for the Pomona College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Enhancements to the center will also include a strength and conditioning center, additional training and conditioning space, a two-court practice and recreational gymnasium above the fitness area, three team meeting rooms and equipment storage space.

The Athletic and Recreation Center will be designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification. Key green building and sustainability features include daylight shading devices to mitigate solar heat gain, HVAC systems that prioritize natural ventilation, rooftop photovoltaics, solar hot water and more.

“We have experienced tremendous growth and an unprecedented level of success with our varsity athletics and recreational sports programs over the years,” said Miriam Merrill, director of Pomona-Pitzer Athletics. “Rains Center, home to Pomona-Pitzer’s athletic programs since 1989, was a pillar of our college and local community. With the support of C.W. Driver Companies, we’re confident that we can transform the complex into a facility that strongly signals our commitment to health and wellness and supports generations of student-athletes to come.”

C.W. Driver Companies is partnering with SCB Architects, Inc. on the project. Other notable higher education projects by the builder include Chapman University’s Keck Center for Science and Engineering; California State University, Dominguez Hills’ Science and Innovation Building; Long Beach City College Multi-Disciplinary Building; Cal Poly Pomona’s Student Services Building; California State University, San Bernardino’s Student Housing & Dining Commons and Biola University’s Center for Science, Technology & Health, among many others.