Florida Gymnasium

Florida Gymnasium
Location Gainesville, Florida
Coordinates 29°38′56″N 82°20′50″W / 29.64889°N 82.34722°W / 29.64889; -82.34722Coordinates: 29°38′56″N 82°20′50″W / 29.64889°N 82.34722°W / 29.64889; -82.34722
Built 1949
Architect Rudolph Weaver and Guy Fulton
Architectural style Collegiate Gothic

Florida Gymnasium (commonly known as "Florida Gym") is a historic building located on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Design work was begun by university architect Rudolph Weaver during World War II and completed by his successor Guy Fulton.[1] It replaced the old University Gymnasium built in 1915, which then became the Women's Gymnasium. Florida Gym opened in 1949 as a 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena that was home to the Florida Gators men's basketball team until it was replaced by the Stephen C. O'Connell Center as the university's indoor sports area in 1980. While serving as the home court of the Gators basketball team, it was also known as "Alligator Alley."[2]

Florida Gymnasium was adapted to other uses after the O'Connell Center was completed In the mid-1990s, the last remains of the original seating sections were removed and replaced with classrooms for the College of Health and Human Performance during a major renovation of the facility. The playing surface remains, and is used for student recreation and other purposes.[2]

In 2008, Florida Gymnasium became a contributing property in the University of Florida Campus Historic District which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 20, 1989.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. Official Historical profile
  2. 1 2 Kevin M. McCarthy and Murray D. Laurie, Guide to the University of Florida and Gainesville, Pineapple Press, Sarasota, Florida, pp. 171173 (1977).
  3. National Park Service Weekly Update on July 3, 2008
  4. Gainesville Sun July 16, 2008


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