'Spirit And Essence' Of President Ford Embedded In Renovated Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse
After the $8 million renovations started in May, The Gerald R. Ford Field House, stands as state - of - the - art on the campus of Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC).
The field house serves GRCC Exercise Science Department classes, GRCC athletics and is a host center for commencement and public events.
The project includes upgrades to the Gordon Hunsburger Arena and the Paganelli Foyer.
Members of both families and Mike Ford, son of President Ford and first lady Betty Ford, were joined earlier this week, by District Court Judge Sara J. Smolenski, community leaders, students and GRCC staff in celebrating the transformation of the fieldhouse.
"The 'spirit and essence' of President Gerald R. Ford is embedded in Grand Rapids Community College's renovated Ford Fieldhouse," Mike Ford said in rededicating the building on Monday.
Ford, the oldest of the four Ford children, recently completed a career in higher education, serving the past 36 years in multiple leadership roles at Wake Forest University.
He said the Ford Fieldhouse is one of the "most impressive, most well - functioning, and well - equipped" facilities of its kind that he's seen, and his father would be pleased to see how the building has changed – and how it is used.
"I believe that the spirit and the essence of my father, Gerald Ford, really is embedded in this place, in all of the things will be going on, the beautiful interactions and transformational dynamics of people coming together, coming together competing, of being educated, developing themselves in mind, body and spirit," Ford said.
"That is who my father was, and that would give him great joy. It means a great deal to me personally, and it means a great deal to my family, for this place to come to life and to bear my father's name."
Judge Smolenski, was a student - athlete at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College and a member of the first women's basketball team to play in the newly opened Ford Fieldhouse in 1976.
She said attending GRJC and competing in the Ford Fieldhouse gave her confidence to "dream the dream and do what I want to do." Even though she went on to play at University of Michigan, Smolenski said her "best days playing ball were right here in this fieldhouse."
After the rededication, Elias Lumpkins, retired GRCC Dean of Student Services, said to The Grand Rapids Times, "I think that it was a great event that also demonstrated the support from the Grand Rapids Community College students and alumni," said Former Dean Elias Lumpkins. "It showed that GRCC is still a sustainable educational institution and they are building more support for the mission of the college."
He added, "President Pink is doing a lot to expand GRCC's partnerships, as well as grants and funding. I enjoyed the event and I think the people who were there enjoyed themselves as well."
The Ford Fieldhouse, 111 Lyon St. NE, underwent new features including air conditioning throughout the building, creating a comfortable environment for students and spectators year round and other upgrades making the facility better suited for hosting local and national events, such as the NJCAA Region XII basketball tournament in March.
The building has additional classroom space and upgrades and new equipment in the Fitness Center, used by student - athletes and students, faculty and staff and community members belonging to the Health Club.
Student - athletes will experience modernized locker rooms with increased seating and technology for study and game preparation, along with an updated athletic training room.
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