WILMINGTON — A year ago, Ursuline Academy unveiled its newly renovated gymnasium, with the promise of more to come. Phase two of the transformation of its physical-education facilities is largely complete with the opening of a fitness center and an upgraded locker room under Laffey-McHugh Gymnasium.
“Not only is it one of the nicest fitness centers any school has in the entire state of Delaware, this was a unique space,” said Ursuline’s director of marketing and communications, Brittany Keller. “It was designed by women for female athletes.”
That is evident in the variety of equipment and the approach to fitness, she said.
“I always joke and say that beyond all the academics that you learn at Ursuline, every graduate knows how to parallel park. And the goal now for every graduate, they should all know how to navigate a gym comfortably and confidently,” Keller said.
Young women will feel more confident using the equipment without boys around, she explained. That confidence will be evident when they use fitness centers that have both men and women.
Ursuline’s fitness center has one curved and three traditional treadmills. There is a variety of weight equipment and cardio machines. There are many advantages for the Raiders’ athletes now that they have this available. For one, teams can train in-house rather than having to leave campus or train on their own, Keller said. Also, teams that run outside when the weather is nice can use the treadmills if it is raining or snowing instead of doing laps in the school hallways.
Keller is also co-coach of the school’s cross country team and head coach of the indoor and spring track teams.
Room for athletic training also has been addressed. Previously, Ursuline had room for one training bed; they now have three. A whirlpool that can accommodate four girls has been installed. There are more capabilities for icing and other treatment.
“We now feel that our athletic facilities match the caliber of our athletes in our program,” Keller said. “They certainly have a sense of pride when they are in here. It makes them feel so good to know the school is backing them from that aspect, giving them the tools to be successful.”
Ursuline athletic trainer Corey Hannah is impressed by his new work area, which is buzzing with activity every day after the academic day ends.
“It just increases the functionality of the space. Last year, I had one table, and the girls would wait in the academic hall,” he said. “I can tape and have three other people doing things on their own that I’ve shown them. It’s way more functional than it was.”
Ursuline has added a class in athletic training, a field that has faced a personnel shortage in many states. The fitness center will host classes and students from all grade levels, Keller said.
“For instance, a couple of days ago, the middle school fitness club, they came in and I led them through the gym. It’s part of a multi-set of meetings that we’ll have,” she said.
“We’re now able to do different things. I’m sure there’s things we haven’t even thought of yet, but it’s going to get built into the curriculum in different ways.”
The other part of the second phase was the renovation of the locker room. The school also will have displays of its DIAA championship trophies and other memorabilia in the area.
The third phase of the project will be the renovation of the entrance off Pennsylvania Avenue. The projects are the result of a $5 million donation in early 2024 from the late real estate developer and philanthropist Anthony N. Fusco. The school’s student life center, located in the former Ursuline Sisters’ convent, bears his name.
