Aug. 27, 2025
Grand Rapids Community College students returned this school year to find a transformed Ford Fieldhouse Recreation Center — a modern, sustainable space designed for movement, connection and collaboration.
“This renovation is about more than new walls and equipment,” said GRCC Director of Ford Fieldhouse Operations Whitney Marsh. “It’s about creating a welcoming place where all of our students can study, play and recharge.”
A Sustainable Transformation
The $15 million renovation reflects GRCC’s commitment to sustainability and creativity. Instead of demolishing old features, the project repurposed them into something new:
- Pool bleacher wood now serves as custom seating on the Learning Stairs, LED-lit design accents and a warm finish for lounge staircases.
- Six racquetball courts were reimagined as a bright, modern fitness center — keeping original walls and beams to preserve history and reduce waste.
- The former pool became a multipurpose indoor turf field with storage rooms below, filled with recyclable Geofoam instead of concrete.
- A white EPDM roof reflects heat to cut cooling costs and can last up to 20 years, while a custom high-efficiency HVAC system improves comfort and reduces energy use.
Floor-to-ceiling windows now flood the building with natural light, creating open, inviting study lounges that blend wellness with academics.
A Place for Every Raider
The Recreation Center was designed with all students in mind. Whether it’s working out in the new fitness center, studying between classes, joining friends for a game or finding a quiet spot to recharge, the Fieldhouse is a flexible and welcoming space for the campus community.
Intramurals are Coming This Fall
To celebrate the opening, GRCC is starting intramural sports — open to all students, no experience required.
- Volleyball and basketball — Mondays and Wednesday 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesdays 7-8:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena.
- Soccer — Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday 5-6:30 p.m. on the Rec Center Turf, Level 2.
League play begins the week of Sept. 8, 2025. Students must bring their RaiderCard to participate. No guests are permitted. Check-in takes place at the arena’s south entrance on Lyon Street.
More Than a Gym
The Ford Fieldhouse Rec Center is now a hub for fitness, friendship and focus, and a place where sustainability meets student life.
