Trinity College plans 48K-sq.-ft. expansion to fitness center

Trinity College is asking Hartford land use officials to sign off on the addition of a 48,000-square-foot building to its Ferris Athletic Center.

The new, two-story space, on what is now lawn and pathways, will contain a fitness center and office for college staff, according to an application for a special permit filed July 27.
Hartford’s Planning & Zoning Commission must open a public hearing by Oct. 12.

The new building will have its own entrance and will be separated from the existing Ferris building by a structurally independent fire wall, according to the application. 

Trinity spokesperson Kristen Cole could not provide responses to questions concerning the project’s cost and schedule, noting that fundraising is ongoing. 

“The wellness and recreation center updates will modernize student fitness facilities and create multi-purpose spaces for fitness classes,” Cole wrote in an email response to questions. “Trinity seeks to increase pride among stakeholders through improvements, which include upgrades to facilities that support signature programs such as Trinity’s nationally ranked squash program.”