Half Acre Gym Explained

Stadium Name:Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center
Location:Laramie, Wyoming, U.S.
Coordinates:41.3128°N -105.5789°W
Broke Ground:1923
Opened:January 25, 1928
Renovated:2014
Owner:University of Wyoming
Operator:University of Wyoming
Construction Cost:$150,000
Former Names:Half Acre Gym
Tenants:Wyoming Cowboys men's basketball (1928–1951)
Seating Capacity:4,000

The Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center (formerly Half Acre Gym) is currently the recreation center for the University of Wyoming.

It was originally a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Laramie, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It opened in 1928.

History

It was home to the University of Wyoming Cowboys basketball team from 1928 until 1951 when it was replaced by the War Memorial Fieldhouse. The size of the arena was about a half acre, hence its name. When it opened, it was one of the nation's largest indoor arenas.

The venue is currently a recreation center on the campus of the University of Wyoming. In 2012, the university announced a $27 million renovation to begin in the Spring of 2013, and be completed by the Fall of 2014.[1] The project was completed in two phases. Phase One would consist of the demolition and recreation of the east portion of the building, and Phase Two would include the reopening of the east portion, and the closure and construction of the west portion which is the historical section of the building. Throughout the renovation, the university hoped to keep and incorporate as much of the historical structure and facade as possible.[2]

The improvements, according to the University of Wyoming's web site, included elevators, added classrooms, a space for athletic training, new racquetball courts, a climbing wall for bouldering, a dance studio, athletics track, and new locker rooms with access to the pool.[3] The pool closed on December 20, 2023 after 100 years of operation with all aquatic activities relocating to the pool at the John Corbett Building.[4]

Amenities

Aquatics

Corbett gym and pool

Historic gym

MAC gym

Miscellaneous

[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UW to renovate, expand Half Acre Gym for $27 million . September 11, 2012 . Billings Gazette .
  2. Web site: Half Acre Gym Renovation Timeline. University of Wyoming. https://web.archive.org/web/20151024004343/http://www.uwyo.edu/rec/facility-hours-and-information/renovation-information/timeline.html. October 24, 2015. dead.
  3. Web site: Renovation New Features. University of Wyoming. https://web.archive.org/web/20151012043027/http://www.uwyo.edu/rec/facility-hours-and-information/renovation-information/new-features.html. October 12, 2015. dead.
  4. Web site: UW's historic Half Acre Pool to close. December 15, 2023. February 18, 2024. Laramie Boomerang. Trujillo. Rachelle.
  5. Web site: Campus Recreational Facilities Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center. uwyo.edu. April 23, 2019.