The sounds of wrecking balls and ironworkers have joined those of slamming medicine balls and pumping iron at the University of Georgia’s Ramsey Student Center.
This past November, construction began on a renovation project to add approximately 10,000 square feet of strength and conditioning space to the facility’s first floor. Strength and Conditioning III, or S&C III for short, will expand the Ramsey Student Center’s total strength and conditioning footprint from approximately 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, significantly increasing capacity to meet growing student demand. The goal is to open the new space during the Fall of 2026.
The project consists of renovating and converting two squash courts and six racquetball courts into a large single room for weight and resistance training, anaerobic exercise and functional fitness. The renovation will significantly enhance the Ramsey Student Center’s ability to cater to the ever-growing demand for strength training.
Keith Wenrich, director of Recreational Sports, said the expansion reflects a long-term investment in student well-being, shaped by student feedback and the continued growth of the campus community.
“Informed by student surveys, focus groups and the continued growth of our campus community, this expansion demonstrates a long-term commitment to student well-being,” Wenrich said. “We’re not just increasing capacity. We’re reimagining how students engage with fitness, wellness and community at Ramsey, ensuring these resources continue to support students now and for years to come.”
Implemented in partnership with the Office of University Architects, the S&C III project supports the strategic plans of the University System of Georgia, University of Georgia and Division of Student Affairs and is yet another significant step in UGA’s continuously increasing well-being support for students.
Highlights of the new space include the latest strength and cardio equipment, as well as expanded areas for free weights and stretching. For academic instruction, the project will also enable the university to offer more physical education classes, and faculty and teaching assistants will have access to more space to provide high level instruction to all students.
Jiran Jones, a senior UGA student from Alpharetta, said that any expansion that increases usable space is a win for a student population that is nearly one-fourth larger than when the Ramsey Center was initially built.
“This additional weight room improves access to high-demand equipment and introduces new offerings that align with what students are asking for and will genuinely excite them,” Jones said. “I’m confident students will be more than satisfied with the added space and the experience it creates.”
Following initial infrastructure upgrades to the facility’s HVAC systems, demolition of the former squash and racquetball courts began in December. Work will continue through the coming year, with the university anticipating completion of the project in fall 2026.
Now in its 31st year, the Ramsey Student Center was the second building constructed on the then-newly expanded East Campus in 1995. In 1997, Sports Illustrated named the Ramsey Student Center the best college recreation center in the country, and continuous enhancements and student engagement have kept the facility among the most successful in college student recreation nationally. Employing nearly 600 student staff and welcoming more than 6,000 students and visitors each day, Ramsey is a cornerstone of the UGA student experience, and enhancements like the S&C III project keep the facility at the national forefront in supporting student recreation and well-being.