anchored in excellence and community
A testament to collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking design, the Jim Heeringa Athletic Center locker room building serves as a vital hub for Hope College’s athletic programs. Positioned at the north end zone of Ray & Sue Smith Stadium, the center features custom-built lockers, team meeting spaces, training and rehabilitation rooms, and state-of-the-art film review technology for the Flying Dutchman football, baseball, and softball teams.
From concept to completion, AMDG Architects partnered closely with Hope College and Midwest Construction Group to develop a master plan for the building that reflected the college’s athletic mission and operational needs. Input from athletics, marketing, maintenance, and facilities teams shaped a cohesive athletic center design that honors Hope’s branding, operational standards, and future growth. Despite a compressed timeline and infrastructure challenges posed by embedding the structure into an existing stadium during COVID-19, the project was delivered on time and under budget to kick off Hope’s 2021 football season.
The building’s design amplifies the Hope College Athletics mission: to develop student-athletes as leaders who embody teamwork and service. Pictorial timelines adorn the hallways, celebrating milestones and inspiring future achievements. Spaces like the second-story observation deck and multifunctional meeting rooms demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to community and donor engagement, while also serving as tools for athletic education and team cohesion.
This $3.3 million project is more than a locker room—it’s a reflection of Hope College’s commitment to fostering excellence, growth, and community within its athletic programs. With adaptability for future expansion and a thoughtful nod to tradition, the Jim Heeringa Athletic Center stands as a dynamic cornerstone for Hope College’s athletic legacy.
