Recently announced plans to improve and modernize facilities on College of the Mainland campus are on track to start later this month and involves the closing of the gym.

The gym closure will allow for crews to shut off power and water to the area as the gym is transformed into a much needed conference center to support students, staff and the community-at-large. The new space will provide the staff to have several multi-purpose areas or open it up into a large space to accommodate about 500.

Anyone with a locker in the gym should clear it out by Thursday, March 29 – the last day to use the gym. The gym will officially be off limits starting on Friday, March 30.

College of the Mainland plans to refund gym memberships, locker rental fees and community volleyball league fees retroactive to Jan. 2 of this year. Refunds should be provided by Friday, April 13. Questions concerning a refund should be directed to Andrea Fillip in the Financial Services Department at 409-933-8620.

The improvements to the gym and other campus facilities is being accomplished through a $16.25 million maintenance tax note approved by the college’s Board of Trustees. This will mark the first time in the college’s 51 years that major improvements are occurring. Along with the gym, the student center and a chemistry lab also will see improvements that should be complete by year’s end.  These projects are just a few of the updates and improvements needed on campus as the demand for a variety of classes increases as well as enrollment figures.