What is New in the Bell Center?
When the Sams Center was built and had its name changed to the Bell Center, the renovations came with some subtraction of facilities and with the addition of some facilities. The first and most obvious is the name change from the Sams Center to the Bell Center.
After completing renovations on the new center, the President decided it was time for a name change and called the new center “The Bell Center” after William H. Bell. According to Seth Asbury, “he was in charge of the Chapman Trust which donated the money to Trinity in the first place for the renovations.”
The ballroom that help formal gatherings and different dance classes was removed in order for the architects to have more room to add offices. The current athletic offices are located where the ball room used to be. What is interesting to look at is what happened to everything inside of the Cell Center when it was being renovated. What happened to classes and events like IM sports that were held inside?
In total it took about a year to finish according to the Trinitonian. “Thus all indoor intramural events must be held off campus. According to intramural staff members, shuttles and transportation will be provided.” Trinity not only aimed at improving its dated facility, but they made sure that events that had previously been scheduled took place.
Some of the major additions in the initial renovation is the addition of Webster gym where two practice basketball courts are located for men and womens basketball and volleyball. The other huge addition was the olympic size swimming pool. It was the first indoor pool that Trintiy had and allowed for their swim teams to have great facilities for practice and to host swim meets.