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                         February 8, 2002

Gross Sports Center slated to open Feb. 14

By Jim Fox
Staff Writer

The Lou Gross Sports Center, located across the parking lot from the Lichtenberg Indoor Tennis Center on Stony Lonesome Road, will have its dedication ceremony Feb. 14 at 5:45 p.m.

The inaugural gymnastics meet between Army, James Madison and Air Force will follow at 6 p.m.

The $2 million, phased project was built by Indoor Courts of America, of Somers, N.Y. ICA is the same company that built the Lichtenberg Indoor Tennis Center.

Because of a lack of donor funds, only the field house-type items were included in Phase I of the project, according to West Point Department of Housing and Public Works project manager Paul Merritt.

The support facilities will be built in a follow on project, Merritt said.

The 23,000 square-foot facility currently consists of a gymnastic practice and competition venue and a field house area that will have a portable basketball court installed.

Merritt said that the Army gymnastics and men’s and women’s basketball teams would be the primary users of the facility.

"This facility is second to none in the sport of gymnastics," said Army gymnastics coach Doug VanEveren. "We designed a world-class training and competing venue. The word is already out on the street regarding our new home and it will no doubt help recruiting. We will be able to train and compete in the same place, which is a great home-court advantage."

Army Athletics Director Rick Greenspan said, "The facility is a clear demonstration of the commitment to building a championship gymnastics program and recognition of the need for indoor court space for basketball, volleyball and other sports."

Merritt said he expected Phase II of the project to begin sometime this summer but did not know any exact dates.

Phase II would include the building of locker rooms, team rooms, a training room, coaches offices, spectator viewing, public restrooms and batting cages.