PAC Renovations

Furman students play cornhole during REC Fest at the Lay Physical Activities Center.

The Herman W. Lay Physical Activities Center (PAC) is undergoing a multi-phased improvement plan. The Board of Trustees has approved a $5.3 million renovation of the Physical Activity Center (PAC)—marking the start of Phase 2 in the plan.

Phase 1 of the plan included updating flooring and paint around the perimeter of the building, adding furniture in community spaces, and reorganizing faculty and staff offices. 

Phase 2 now brings strategic upgrades that prioritize the Health Sciences Department and promote campus wellbeing through enhancements to Campus Recreation & Wellness. This will improve the functionality and experience of the PAC for students, faculty, and staff. Renovations will commence on December 11, 2025, and continue through early August ‘26. The pools’ last operational day will be December 9, and an event celebrating the impact of the pools over the years will be held on December 10. Additionally, access to the back hallway locker rooms will be offline December 18 through the remainder of renovations.

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AY '26

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  • Closure of the existing pool, which had reached the end of its usable life and would have required substantial investment to restore. After careful evaluation, it was determined that reinvesting in other high-impact areas of the building would better serve long-term campus needs. 
  • Expansion of the fitness center in a portion of the former pool area to accommodate more users and equipment 
  • Creation of a climbing wall in a portion of the former pool area 
  • Relocation of the Human Performance Lab into the PAC through locker room consolidation and upgrades 
  • Temporary group fitness space in a portion of the former pool area 
  • Two new classrooms in the former upstairs group fitness studio

Image shows early concepts of the project. Final design will be shown at a future date.

  • Gym & Group Fitness Studio floors screened and resealed
  • New flooring and paint for the perimeter hallway
  • Furniture installed outside of PAC 113/114 and on the second floor outside of the group fitness studio
  • Window boxes expanded and highlighted to encourage attention on wellbeing
  • Bringing HSC faculty members & CRW staff into a repurposed office suite

Renovation Updates

April Updates

The renovation project reached several key milestones this month, with significant progress visible across the facility. Notable highlights from April include: Structural Development: The installation of vertical steel for the new climbing wall is now...

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New Renderings & Construction Progress!

Exciting milestones are happening at the PAC! We just completed a massive concrete pour, leveling the floors across our renovated spaces and setting the stage for our locker installations. Even more exciting? DP3 has released...

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Progress Update March 2026

Construction Progress Update Construction continues to move forward with the completion of major steel installation, which supports new flooring and prepares the space for upcoming concrete pours. This milestone allows interior wall framing, HVAC installation,...

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Lobby entrance shows digital display board and furniture
Lobby entrance shows digital display board and furniture
Another digital display board is shown with a slide from Health Sciences
Another digital display board is shown with a slide from Health Sciences
Students are shown participating in a spin class in the freshly painted group fitness studio
Students are shown participating in a spin class in the freshly painted group fitness studio
The entrance to the PAC is shown with dark carpet, lobby furniture, and renovation signs.
The entrance to the PAC is shown with dark carpet, lobby furniture, and renovation signs.
Hallway corridor is shown with dark paint and bright light bouncing harshly off the linoleum floor. The wall pictured on the right is riddled with cycling awards.
Hallway corridor is shown with dark paint and bright light bouncing harshly off the linoleum floor. The wall pictured on the right is riddled with cycling awards.
Hallway is shown from the exit from the current IACH office suite. Dark carpet and paint with harsh lighting.
Hallway is shown from the exit from the current IACH office suite. Dark carpet and paint with harsh lighting.
Lobby furniture with mesh paneling behind it softly hiding the stairway to the second floor.
Lobby furniture with mesh paneling behind it softly hiding the stairway to the second floor.
Hallway shows the long corridor between front and rear of the building with window cutouts on the exterior wall and interior wall to allow light into the fitness center.
Hallway shows the long corridor between front and rear of the building with window cutouts on the exterior wall and interior wall to allow light into the fitness center.
Hallway shot in the PAC highlights the boxy seat cutouts in the windows into the fitness center.
Hallway shot in the PAC highlights the boxy seat cutouts in the windows into the fitness center.
Hallway outside of PAC 113 & 114 is shown with small grouping of furniture.
Hallway outside of PAC 113 & 114 is shown with small grouping of furniture.
Landing outside group fitness studio is shown with cabinets and temporary equipment storage.
Landing outside group fitness studio is shown with cabinets and temporary equipment storage.
A peek into a dark image of the group fitness studio.
A peek into a dark image of the group fitness studio.
An arial shot of the gym floor is shown with students playing pickup.
An arial shot of the gym floor is shown with students playing pickup.

Phase 1 Before & After

Pictures taken before and after the project.