Come October 2001 the Army gymnastics team should have a permanent home.

Academy officials broke ground April 20 on the $3 million gift-funded Gross Olympic Sports Center.

Construction on the project is expected to begin within the next month and be done this fall. The facility will be located on G Lot next to the Lichtenberg Indoor Tennis Center.

The contractor will be Indoor Courts of America of Somers, N.Y., the same company that built the ITC.

The 24,000 square-foot facility will also be used by the volleyball, wrestling, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball teams.

"This generous gift will serve as a permanent world-class home for Army gymnastics as well as providing us desperately needed space for (other) programs," said Army Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan. "We have one of the largest Division I sports programs in the country with 25 varsity sports and close to 1,000 cadet-athletes.

"Quality indoor space is critical for the development of meeting our goal of championship programs," Greenspan said.

"It is our hope and expectation that this facility will provide the same margin of excellence for many of our other programs," Greenspan added.

Army gymnastics coach Doug VanEveren is thrilled that his squad will have a home if its own this fall.

"The gym is first class, world class," VanEveren said. "It will allow the gymnasts to train and compete in the same facility. That is a huge advantage."

VanEveren explained that the facility would be split into thirds with gymnastics on one-third and a middle third comprising team rooms and locker rooms with bleachers above it. The other third will be used by the other sports.

Hallways will also be located where baseball and softball batting cages can be used.

A memorabilia area will also be included.

Wrestling coach Chuck Barbee is glad his team will have some options as far as where they can compete.

Men’s basketball coach Pat Harris looks forward to the extra practice space.

"During the season it will provide us with a lot of flexibility," Harris said.

Lead donor Herb Lichtenberg, USMA ’55, named the facility after his long-time friend, Lou Gross, USMA ’54, both of whom are long-time supporters of Army athletics.