In 1984, Lund Center was one of the best sports facilities in all of Division III. Forty years later, the facility’s first-ever expansion—Phase One of a comprehensive project—is again giving Gusties wellness and learning opportunities in a first-class space for its time. It’s more than a sports facility. It’s a teaching, learning, wellness, fitness, and sports facility. It has new cardio, weight training, and exercise areas, plus athletic training, classrooms and learning spaces. It has recruiting and meeting rooms, and open areas overlooking Hollingsworth Field for studying, collaborating, and hanging out. It’s truly for the whole campus community.
“It’s been the heart of not only my workouts but my learning as well,” says Malia Kabis ’24, an Exercise Physiology and Spanish double major. “Whether it’s learning in the classrooms and labs, learning new exercises from friends in the gym, or popping by professors’ offices for some guided consultation, it has been a pleasure to call Lund Center my home away from home.”
The new varsity locker rooms aren’t too shabby either. “The old locker rooms were cramped and had a dank and brackish odor,” says Christian Ash ’25, an English and Economics double major and Gustie baseball pitcher. “The new locker rooms are spacious and smell of vitality and triumph.” Sidenote on baseball: Since 2021, Gustavus Baseball has played its home games at the renovated Gustavus Baseball Field which was funded entirely by donor gifts. The $2 million project includes a covered grandstand and a synthetic field for multiple uses, including varsity soccer practice, club sports, and intramurals.
We pay close attention to facilities we need for academic excellence and that are important for the overall student experience. Lund Center falls into both categories.”
President Rebecca Bergman
The new Lund facility has already helped to make two new academic programs possible for Gustavus, during a time when many colleges are shrinking their program offerings. Beginning this fall, Gustavus will offer a major in Sport Management as well as its first-ever graduate degree, in Athletic Training—the only AT master’s program at a liberal arts college in Minnesota. “It’s set up to allow students to be here on our lovely Saint Peter campus, experiencing hands-on skills in their coursework and learning all about the patient care of athletic training,” says program director Mary Westby. “Housing a professional athletic training master’s degree at a liberal arts college is advantageous. The background our students get in critical thinking, inter- professional communication, and looking at problems from multiple perspectives makes the best clinicians and providers.”
Phase Two of the project includes renovations within the original Lund footprint, including the Forum. After that comes a field house with an additional 53,000 square feet of year-round practice and recreation space. Go Gusties!
