In 2013 Willamette began renovating Sparks Center; updating the existing space to meet the needs of intercollegiate athletes, the campus community, and many Salem community partners. While the footprint of Sparks Athletic Center remains essentially the same, the facility was fully redesigned, in two phases, to provide more functional space.

Phase I included the expansion of the fitness center, sports medicine center, and the addition of new multipurpose classroom and activity spaces.

The new fitness center is large enough to accommodate varsity athletes and non-athletes together during prime workout times. The new space houses over 35 pieces of cardio equipment, seven multipurpose free weight racks, a rotating climbing wall and a new plate-loaded circuit training room. There are several large TV’s and many of the cardio devices have built in monitors with cable television.

Also inside the fitness center is a new multipurpose room in addition to the renovated existing multipurpose room.

The renovations include an updated and more accessible sports medicine center, enhanced classroom and meeting spaces and an updated facilities infrastructure, including improved HVAC and lighting systems.

Phase II, currently in progress, includes the renovation of the locker rooms. When completed, all of the teams which compete in Cone Fieldhouse or on Sparks Field will have dedicated team rooms. There will also be general locker rooms and faculty/staff locker rooms.