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Gymnasium Extensions

Victoria University's extensions to the University Gymnasium, designed by Ath-field Architects Ltd, will shortly be visible from the city, on the south side of the main campus and in front of the nearly completed first stage of the Cotton Building.

The extension will double the capacity of the fifteen-year-old gymnasium by adding a further 12,000 square feet of building at a cost of around $500,000.

Being erected without the help of any subsidy from the Government, the extension will be paid for from the Building Fund subscribed to by all students as part of their annual Students' Association fees.

The original Gymnasium, built in 1961 when the University had about 3500 students, contains a large gymnasium of basketball size with room for indoor ski training, table tennis and a trampoline as well as a small dance room, a weight training gymnasium and changing rooms.

The extensions, planned since 1969, will include a coffee bar and lounge area, a small gymnasium for activities such as modern dance, gymnastics and some of the martial arts, and a long narrow room suitable for indoor cricket, golf, archery and rifle-shooting.

Since the Gymnasium was first built the student numbers have doubled and pressures on the facilities have mounted rapidly.

Used by both staff and students, and run by four full-time physical welfare officers, the Gymnasium offers special courses of instruction, opportunities for casual recreation and a home base for a number of university sports clubs.

The earthworks for the extensions should be completed shortly and work on the main structure will follow.