Holmes Sports Center, 1989-2026
Files
Citation
“Holmes Sports Center, 1989-2026,” Buildings@Simmons, accessed March 15, 2026, https://beatleyweb.simmons.edu/buildings/items/show/173.
Geolocation
Title
Holmes Sports Center, 1989-2026
Subject
Holmes Sports Center (Boston, Mass.)
331 Brookline Ave (Boston, Mass.)
331 Brookline Ave (Boston, Mass.)
Description
After over a decade of student advocacy for an athletics building, construction for the Holmes Sports Center began in October 1987. Turner (East House) and Hastings (Students' House) were demolished to make way for the long-anticipated Center.
The $10 million, 60,000 square-foot facility was a brief walk from Simmons' nine residence halls and Bartol Dining Hall. The Center housed a regulation basketball court, running track, swimming pool, volleyball courts, weight rooms, exercise rooms, and a dance floor.
The grand opening of the Sports Center, called the Sports Center Sportstacular celebration, was held over two days in September 1989. Home matches in volleyball, tennis, hockey, and soccer were held during the celebration, along with a synchronized swim show in the evening. Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, delivered the keynote address.
Highly praised by students and alumni, the Sports Center represented Simmons’ renewed commitment to athletics and physical education for undergraduates.
The $10 million, 60,000 square-foot facility was a brief walk from Simmons' nine residence halls and Bartol Dining Hall. The Center housed a regulation basketball court, running track, swimming pool, volleyball courts, weight rooms, exercise rooms, and a dance floor.
The grand opening of the Sports Center, called the Sports Center Sportstacular celebration, was held over two days in September 1989. Home matches in volleyball, tennis, hockey, and soccer were held during the celebration, along with a synchronized swim show in the evening. Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, delivered the keynote address.
Highly praised by students and alumni, the Sports Center represented Simmons’ renewed commitment to athletics and physical education for undergraduates.
Date
1989-2026
Identifier
APC001_08640