News

A whole college experience provides learning outside of classrooms. That’s why Southwestern Michigan College launched the Room to Grow capital campaign.

Room to Grow provides dedicated space for SMC’s growing wrestling program, including a larger competition and training area as women join the mix this fall.

Only 29 NJCAA schools offer women’s wrestling. SMC will be first in Michigan to offer this increasingly popular sport to women.

National Coach of the Year Todd Hesson’s wrestlers are currently housed in the visual and performing arts building across from the theatre, which was never meant to be the team’s permanent home when the sport returned in 2022 after a 30-year absence. Room to Grow’s upgrade enables wrestling to occupy a new wing on the Charles O. Zollar Building.

This expansion quadruples available space from 2,688 to 11,195 square feet. It will more than double mat capacity, providing enhanced opportunities for training and competition.

The Roadrunners can host regional and conference meets on campus — something SMC has not been able to do.

Since wrestlers will occupy the same building as other athletic programs, there will be interaction among all student athletes, creating camaraderie as our teams “run as one.”

The new facility features locker rooms for men and women wrestlers, a dedicated fitness and warm-up area for conditioning with treadmills and bikes, additional restroom facilities to accommodate more athletes and spectators and offices for the head coach and his assistants.

Room to Grow also addresses fine arts needs in the Dale A. Lyons Building, where the long, rectangular choir room was originally set up for offices, not musical instruction.

Mark Hollandsworth’s band room is more than 30 years old and needs to be enlarged for additional rehearsal and practice space.

The expanded choir room features a round design, allowing singers and David Carew to see and hear each other while practicing.

The band room, containing instrument storage space, is too small, accommodating chairs for just 40 members.

The new band room provides an additional 1,980 square feet to accommodate 20 additional members and a more open rehearsal space.

The Jazz Ensemble gains a dedicated practice area.

A flexible multipurpose classroom will host music theory classes

Four ensemble rooms and six practice rooms will give groups more flexibility and practice space.

The renovated lobby and bathrooms will feature modern lighting, flooring and a lighter color palette to create a welcoming atmosphere for students, guests and the community.

The new space allows both programs, which welcome students of all majors, to host larger community events and clinics, helping recruit future students and enhancing the sense of pride current students feel.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. While our goal covers only a portion of the total project cost, we’re counting on the support of friends and donors to help us provide these much-needed facilities for our students. To give, visit givebutter.com/roomtogrow or contact Emily Schrock, Manager of Development.