Roosevelt University Looks Forward to the Grand Opening of the Goodman Center in December 2012

Roosevelt University is currently under construction on the two-story Lillian and Larry Goodman Center, which will become the home of the university’s athletic programs starting December 1, 2012. It is located on the corner of Congress and Wabash.

Named after Larry and Lillian Goodman, a Chicago entrepreneur and sports enthusiast and his wife, who donated $3 million to make the gym possible, the addition will be a nice compliment to the vertical campus also being added for the 2012-13 school year. The transformation of Roosevelt with the new athletic program is the next step for the school, which is progressing to become less of a commuter campus and more of a place for full-time students.

By reestablishing Roosevelt athletics after a twenty year hiatus, the university is trying to change the Roosevelt experience and encourage students who would have otherwise studied elsewhere to continue their athletic careers. It has been a long-fought process to start construction on the gym, but once finished, the gym will be a major component of a new image for Roosevelt University.

The field house will have retractable bleachers that will provide seating for approximately 500 people. The first floor of the Center will be home to the administrative offices for all athletic department staff, a varsity weight room, athletic training room, conference rooms, student lounge, and men’s and women’s locker rooms. The second floor will contain the court which will be used by both basketball and volleyball teams.

The construction process has come a long ways since the beginning in early spring 2012. The gym is fully enclosed on the outside and baskets have been installed on the top floor. Now, the floor needs to be installed and settled so the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams can enjoy a brand new facility in their third CCAC season.

Check out the progress: