New renovations to the Morren Fitness Center, Calvin’s non-athlete gym facility, have introduced new equipment, expanding space for the growing population of student athletes.
The renovation, which took place largely over winter break, was funded by over $100,000 in private donations according to James Timmer, director of Calvin athletics. According to Timmer, the goal was to make use of an underutilized space and provide more access to free weights for both athletes and the general student population.
Recent growth in the athletic program necessitated an expansion of the gym facilities. “Our athletic courtroom has gone from about 500 student athletes to 767 this year,” Timmer said, continuing, “and so in order for them to get our team lifts in, we said, okay, that space is being underutilized.”
The updates included replacing all bars and weights and increasing the number of squat racks from eight to 14. Timmer noted that the university had not significantly updated the weight equipment in 16 years, though the cardio equipment was replaced two years ago.
“Some of the things that they [the donors] asked for were more weights, new weights … and some rebranding in there. We’re accomplishing that,” Timmer said.
Despite these upgrades, some students have expressed concern regarding the functionality of the older equipment that remains in use. Frequent gym user Arnold Guikema stated that the current state of the gym includes broken cable machines and equipment that poses a risk of injury, and while the administration prioritized new squat racks, the student population more frequently utilizes cable machines, which remain in disrepair. “Every square inch of my body is in danger when I use the broken cable,” he said.
“I never would have thought to myself, gee, what this place needs is more and better squat racks. That’s what’s really lacking,” Guikema said. “I don’t think that the squat racks are where the students were feeling the most impact from gym equipment … cable machines is where … the student population in general were having difficulties.”
Prior requests for upgrades
The gym has continually been a focus of student concerns, highlighted by projects and advocacy from Student Senate over the last two years. According to previous Chimes reporting, the 2024-2025 Student Senate appropriated $5,000 towards improvements to the Morren Fitness Center weight room. The 2025-2026 Student Senate saw through a more targeted project to replace attachments for the cable machines, as they were told fixing the machines themselves would be too expensive, according to Guikema.
Timmer maintained that the recent renovations are intended to fulfill ideas advocated for by Student Senate, including more and newer weights.
Closed for non-athletes
The athletic department’s strategy involves a “trade-off” where certain sections of the Morren Fitness Center are closed for athletic team lifts. Timmer clarified that during these times, equivalent equipment remains available in other parts of the facility.
However, this separation has created a sense of exclusion for some non-athlete students. Guikema likened the experience to walking into the Spoelhof Fieldhouse basement and seeing equipment that is restricted in the athletes’ gym; though now the student gym, and upgraded equipment, is being used by athletes.
Lola Davies, a freshman track athlete, noted that the separate space for athletes is beneficial because the athletes’ gym lacks the capacity to fit all sports teams simultaneously.
“Being a student athlete here is a commitment and a cost … and so giving us a little bit of advantages in space … has been really beneficial,” Davies said.
In the future, according to Timmer, Athletics has indicated further plans for the Morren Fitness Center, including painting the space in university colors of maroon and gold and installing turf for dynamic exercises.
