Every semester on a college campus has a new, unique feel. But it has been a long time since the Acker Gym building at Chico State experienced this much change.
 
At 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, Head Men's Basketball Coach Greg Clink unlocked the door to the brand new Wildcat Strength & Conditioning Center and his team became the first to use the facility. It has been home to a flurry of activity ever since.
 
At 2,800 square feet, the new center also offers something that all the coaches requested – space to move, stretch and do plyometric exercises.
 
"It's been a bit of a roller-coaster at times, but it's really exciting to finally see the space open and being used by our student-athletes," said Mitch Cox, associate director of athletics.
 
Over 40,000 pounds of old lockers and 80,000 pounds of concrete were removed from the old facility before the renovation could officially begin. New walls were erected, air conditioning and other electrical systems were put in place, and new lighting was installed.
 
Before its transition, the space housed a dark and dank little-used men's locker room. But now, it is a brightly lit, air-conditioned facility featuring six Hammer Strength half-racks, along with kettle bells, dumbbells, slam balls, wall balls and other items needed by all the Wildcat teams.
 
The new center is exclusively for the student-athlete members of Chico State's 13 intercollegiate athletic teams.
 
Chico State student-athletes compete at the highest levels. This past academic year, 20 Wildcats earned All-America honors, 41 were named All-West Region, and 69 were tabbed All-Conference. Chico State's teams accounted for six of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's 12 conference titles in 2015-16.
 
The new Wildcat Strength and Conditioning Center will help assure fans of Chico State athletics that this level of performance will continue for years to come.