Linfield College took the wraps off its updated weight room September 26 during a grand opening celebration at the Health, Human Performance and Athletics Complex. Nearly 150 student-athletes and coaches gathered to catch a first glimpse at the full-scale makeover, which took nearly five months to complete.
 
The $190,000 facelift was a complete refresh for the 30-year-old space known as the Hal Smith Fitness Center.
 
Linfield supporters Jim and Sondra Wright contributed a single gift to set the long overdue project in motion. The Wrights made their gift in honor of their grandson, Brandon Olson '06, an All-America linebacker and a member of Linfield's 2004 national championship football team.
 
"Without a doubt, if Linfield had a Mount Rushmore, the Wright family would be on it," said Linfield football coach Joseph Smith. "I want to thank Jim and Sondra so much for all that they have done for us in the past and for making this project happen."
 
The makeover includes new rubberized flooring and fresh purple and gray paint throughout, matching the colors of the new weight-lifting racks.
 
Down the center of the space is a four-foot wide band of artificial FieldTurf which can be used for short sprints or pushing a weighted platform.
 
The weight training facility includes more racks than the previous configuration and sports a completely new set of barbells and kettle bells.
 
The end result should be less congestion for users of the facility, which includes Linfield's 19 varsity athletic programs as well as members of general student population, staff and faculty.
 
"Anyone associated with the strength and conditioning world would look at this space and say it's a great training facility," said Linfield director of athletics Garry Killgore. "All other users will say 'it really has the Wow Factor.'"