Kirby Sports Center

Allan P. Kirby Sports Center
Kirby Sports Center
Former names Allan P. Kirby Field House (1973–2000)
Location 700 Pierce Street
Easton, PA 18042
Owner Lafayette College
Operator Lafayette College
Capacity 3,500
4,000 (expandable)
Surface Hardwood
Construction
Opened December 1, 1973
June 2, 2000 (renovation)
Construction cost $35 million (renovation)
Architect Cannon Design (renovation)
Tenants
Lafayette Leopards
(Men's and Women's basketball, Women's Volleyball, Men's and Women's Indoor Track, Fencing)

Kirby Sports Center is a 3,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Easton, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1973 and is home to the Lafayette College Leopards basketball team. It hosted the 2000 Patriot League men's basketball tournament.[1]

Dedicated on June 2, 2000, the $35 million Allan P. Kirby Sports Center includes a new, 110,000-square-foot (10,000 m2) intramural and recreational sports facility attached to the previously existing Kirby Field House. The field house itself received a $2.5 million facelift and interior renovations.[1]

The new portion of the center, featuring a distinctive atrium overlooking Fisher Field, includes the Kamine Gymnasium, which includes three 50-by-84-foot courts for basketball, floor hockey, and other sports and an elevated 1/10-mile jogging track. The Buck Courts include six courts for racquet sports, two for squash and four that can be configured for squash or racquetball. A 6,600-square-foot (610 m2) fitness center and weight room includes a full strength-training circuit, spacious free-weight area, and more than 30 cardiovascular machines. There is also a 35-foot (11 m) climbing wall, an aerobics area, and several offices.

Built in 1973, the original field house, which contains Ruef Natatorium, is home to several varsity sports teams. It has been enhanced to include a new sports medicine area and a new equipment room and renovated locker rooms and administrative offices. The lobby and Athletic Hall of Fame exhibitry have been modernized.

Major support for the sports center was provided by the F.M. Kirby Foundation, which made a $32.5 million gift to Lafayette, the largest gift ever received by a college, university, or other non-profit organization in the Lehigh Valley.[1]

The current director for the Kirby Sports Center is Jodie Frey who is also the Associate Dean of Students.

The venue should not be confused with the F.M. Kirby Center, an arts and entertainment complex in Wilkes-Barre.

References

Coordinates: 40°42′07″N 75°12′39″W / 40.7019°N 75.2107°W / 40.7019; -75.2107

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