The Center for Athletics Recreation and Fitness

The new 55,000-square-foot Center for Athletics, Recreation and Fitness is now complete.

October 2009 saw the opening of the 10,000-square-foot weight and fitness room; multipurpose spaces for aerobics, yoga, Pilates, spinning, and martial arts classes; the renovated athletic training room with a Hydroworx therapy pool; and expanded facilities for campus recreation and experiential education programs.

The natatorium with eight competition lanes, a five-lane warm-up pool and 350-seat spectator gallery as well as a climbing wall opened in January 2010.

The first major gift for the $25-million project was given by 1965 Gettysburg College graduate John Jaeger, whose $1.2-million gift was used to successfully encourage others to give. In his role as trustee, Jaeger long recognized a pressing need for additional athletic and recreation space for Gettysburg's active campus community.

Gettysburg College also received a gift of $2 million from Robert Ortenzio '79, which was the largest single outright gift made by a living individual in the history of the college. Ortenzio made an additional gift of $1 million in 2010. Chief executive officer of Select Medical Corporation in Mechanicsburg, Ortenzio was an All-America wrestler for the Bullets and was inducted into the Gettysburg College Hall of Athletic Honor in 1999.

"Athletics was an important part of my educational experience at Gettysburg and I am happy that I can support this important project - a project that will further the strong athletic tradition at the college,"

Ortenzio said. "The new center will also add vitally needed recreation and fitness space for all members of the campus community."

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