Robins Center, Millhiser Gym to be revamped

Millhiser Gym will be revamped into a technologically advanced practice facility for the men's and women's basketball teams.

The new Millhiser Gym will be state-of-the-art, said Mark Kwolek, the assistant director of athletic public relations at the Robins Center. The Millhiser Gym's restoration will put Richmond's practice facilities on par with other schools, men's basketball coach Chris Mooney said. The renovations will be done by HKS Inc., a Dallas-based sports-architectural firm that also has an office in Richmond. Fundraising for the project has already begun.

Plans for the Millhiser Gym will likely include a new floor, basketball hoops, an air-conditioning system, lighting, a sound system and a device that will be used to cover the floor so the building can be used for hospitality events.

The Robins Center already underwent minor cosmetic changes during the summer. The most noticeable change was the resurfacing and painting of the gym floor. The word "Spiders" has been replaced with the navy-blue spider in a silver web logo that Richmond students often see around campus.

Beyond the basketball court's facelift, a football lounge was created, television sets and a drink machine were added to the football locker room and the academic computer lab was refurbished. The ground floor has new carpet and new paint. A locker room for the women's track and field team was also added downstairs, Kwolek said. There are plans for more minor renovations to the Robins Center in the future.

Some of the renovation projects were privately funded and some were funded by the athletic department, Deputy Athletic Director David Walsh said. The basketball floor is still undergoing renovation but all other projects are either close to being finished are finished.

Contact staff writer Alexandra Varipapa at

href="mailto:alexandra.varipapa@richmond.edu">alexandra.varipapa@richmond.edu