The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Renninger Gymnasium

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Renninger Gymnasium, University of Findlay

Institution Name: University of Findlay
Original/Historic Place Name: Renninger Gymnasium
Location on Campus: College St. (street is now closed and turned into green space)
Date(s) of Construction:

1923-1925

original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Gothic revival (Glossary)
Significance: education, history, religion
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation:

Walls: brick

Roof:

Function:

1925-1989	gymnasium
1989-present (2006)	other (Environmental Resource Training Center, emergency rescue and protection training center)

Narrative:
Constructed between 1923-25 on the north side of College Street, the gymnasium building originally included a basketball court, offices, showers, dressing rooms and lockers. Contractor R. Burton Child built the gym for $48,673.15. The gym was the second major building raised on campus and continued to serve its original purpose until it was converted in 1989 into the headquarters and on-campus training center for the Environmental Resource Training Center. Also in 1989, the section of College Street where it was located was closed and turned into an attractive green space with wide sidewalks connecting to the campus. Structurally, the building has sustained very few alterations over more than 75 years. It was named Renninger Gymnasium in 1982 in honor of Donald Renninger, who had served as coach, athletic director, and professor from 1936-1981.

References:

Kern, Richard. Findlay College: The First Hundred Years. Nappanee, IN: Evangel Press, 1984.