Gym Lobby Gets a Pre-Season Makeover

Workers are busy modernizing the lobby of Westmont’s Murchison Gym, upgrading the lighting, ceilings and walls, and installing two, 70-inch monitors to show video and photos of Westmont Hall of Fame athletes and other information. Maple hardwood flooring, dating back to the construction of the gym in the late 1960s, was removed during a 2008 renovation and has been recycled for use on the lobby walls.

“It gives us more space, a cleaner look and allows us to convert the lobby to a less-athletic look when we’re hosting a concert or chapel service,” says Dave Odell, Westmont athletic director. “The monitors will allow us to show the game live at the concession stand and feature video clips of Hall of Famers instead of just a plaque.”

Four years ago, Westmont installed a DIN-certified, hardwood floor, comfortable seating for fans, scoreboard and energy-efficient lighting. A portion of the old gym court has already been reused in the floor of the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art.

Odell says the work is being funded through an anonymous gift and the operating budgets of Westmont Athletics and Physical Plant.

The women’s volleyball team plays its first home game against La Sierra University on Sept. 4. The men’s and women’s basketball teams play their first home games Nov. 2 against Bethesda University of California.