It’s loud. That’s the first thing you notice when you walk into the El Pomar Sports Center on a Tuesday night. Between the rhythmic squeak of sneakers on the hardwood and the distant splash from the pool, the building feels like it’s breathing. Most people see a gym. If you’ve spent any time at Colorado College, you know it’s basically the campus living room, just with more sweat and higher stakes.
Colorado Springs isn't exactly short on fitness centers, but El Pomar is different. It sits at the base of the Rockies, literally and figuratively supporting the Tigers. It’s not just about the Division III athletes or the occasional high-altitude training sessions. It’s about a space that has evolved since the early 2000s to handle the weird, intense energy of the Block Plan.
The Architecture of High Performance
You can’t talk about this place without mentioning the 2013 renovation. Before that, things were a bit... dated. But the $27 million overhaul changed the vibe entirely. They added about 30,000 square feet, which sounds like a dry statistic until you’re actually standing in the Adam F. Press Fitness Center. The glass walls are the real MVP here. You’re on a treadmill, lungs burning because of the 6,035-foot elevation, and you’re staring directly at Pikes Peak. It’s breathtaking. Also, it’s literally hard to breathe.
The design by Thompson Vaivoda & Associates wasn't just for show. They had to figure out how to squeeze a modern strength and conditioning wing, a dedicated sports medicine area, and administrative offices into a footprint that wouldn’t swallow the rest of the campus. Honestly, they nailed it. The flow from the Jerry Carle Strength and Conditioning Center to the Schlessman Natatorium feels intuitive.
Most people don't realize how much the Schlessman Natatorium matters to the local swim scene. It’s a 25-yard, eight-lane pool that has hosted countless SCAC championships. If you've ever tried to do laps at altitude, you know the struggle. The air feels thinner, the water feels heavier, and your flip turns leave you gasping. But for the CC Tigers, it’s home turf advantage.
Inside the Adam F. Press Fitness Center
This is where the magic happens for the average student. It’s two levels of high-end equipment that would make most commercial gyms jealous. You’ve got your standard rows of cardio machines, sure. But the mezzanine level is where the real work gets done.
The variety is actually impressive:
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- Woodway treadmills that feel like running on clouds.
- A massive array of free weights that are almost always in use.
- Functional training spaces with kettlebells, medicine balls, and enough turf to make you feel like a pro.
- Dedicated stretching areas because, let's be real, everyone forgets to cool down.
The "Press" isn't just for the varsity types. It’s common to see a philosophy professor hitting the elliptical next to a star lacrosse player. That’s the CC way. There’s no hierarchy here. Well, maybe there is if you count who can bench the most, but generally, it’s a shared struggle against the altitude and the workload.
More Than Just Weights and Plates
If you wander deep enough into the El Pomar Sports Center, you’ll find the Burghart Courts. These are the indoor tennis courts that save the season when the Colorado weather decides to dump six inches of snow in April. Which happens. Often. Having those four courts indoors is a lifesaver for the tennis programs, allowing them to maintain a consistent practice schedule regardless of the "four seasons in one day" reality of the Springs.
Then there’s the Reid Arena. It’s the primary spot for volleyball and basketball. It’s not a massive stadium, and that’s why it works. It’s intimate. When the bleachers are packed for a conference game against Trinity or Colorado State University-Pueblo, the noise level is honestly deafening. You’re right on top of the action. You can see the sweat. You can hear the coaches yelling. It’s pure, unadulterated college sports.
The Science of the Tigers
We need to talk about the Jerry Carle Strength and Conditioning Center. This isn't your neighborhood CrossFit box. It’s a 4,500-square-foot facility specifically designed for athlete development. We're talking 12 custom platforms, Olympic bars, and a coaching staff that knows exactly how to peak an athlete for the postseason.
The integration with the sports medicine wing is what really sets El Pomar apart. If an athlete gets dinged up in the arena, they’re literally steps away from high-tech rehab. We’re talking:
- Hydrotherapy tubs for recovery.
- Electrical stimulation and ultrasound equipment.
- On-site athletic trainers who probably know the athletes' ligaments better than the athletes do.
It’s a closed-loop system. Train, compete, recover, repeat.
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Why the Name Matters
The El Pomar Foundation is a big deal in Colorado. They’ve funded everything from parks to museums, and their thumbprint is all over the state’s history. When they put their name on the sports center, it wasn't just a donation; it was a commitment to the long-term health of the college and the community.
Actually, the building serves as a bridge. While it’s primarily for the CC community, the events held here often draw in people from all over the Front Range. Whether it’s a high school swim meet or a coaching clinic, El Pomar is a hub. It’s a landmark of the North Cascade Avenue corridor.
Navigating the Block Plan Burnout
If you don't know about the Block Plan, here's the deal: students take one class at a time for three and a half weeks. It’s intense. It’s three hours of class a morning, followed by mountains of reading.
In that environment, the El Pomar Sports Center acts as a pressure valve.
Students head there at 3:30 PM when class lets out just to turn their brains off. You see people playing pickup basketball like their lives depend on it, not because they want to go pro, but because they just spent four hours debating Kantian ethics. The gym is where the stress of the "block" gets burned off.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning on visiting or you’re a new student, don't just walk in and expect to find a locker. You’ve got to have your Gold Card. Security is tight, mostly to keep the facilities reserved for those who pay the tuition.
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- Peak Hours: Avoid 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM if you hate crowds. That’s when the "after-class" rush hits and every squat rack has a line.
- The View: If you’re a morning person, get there at 6:00 AM. Watching the sun hit the peak while you’re on the second-floor cardio deck is the best motivation you’ll ever find.
- Intramurals: Keep an eye on the boards for broomball or inner-tube water polo. Yes, those are real things, and yes, they are incredibly competitive.
The Legacy of the Facility
El Pomar isn't standing still. The college is constantly tweaking things—updating the flooring, bringing in new technology for the training room, ensuring the HVAC can handle a humid natatorium and a dry gym simultaneously. It’s a constant battle against the elements and the sheer volume of use the building sees.
It’s funny to think that this site has been the center of CC athletics for decades, through various iterations. It’s seen legends walk through the doors. It’s seen heartbreaking losses in the final seconds of a set. But mostly, it’s seen thousands of students just trying to get a little bit faster or a little bit stronger.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
To get the most out of the El Pomar Sports Center, you shouldn't just show up and wing it. The facility is too big and has too many specialized zones for that.
- Check the Schedule: Before heading to the pool or Reid Arena, check the CC Athletics calendar. There’s nothing worse than showing up for laps and realizing a swim meet just started.
- Utilize the Strength Coaches: If you're a student, the staff in the Jerry Carle center are a goldmine of information. They aren't just there to watch the equipment; they're there to help you not hurt yourself.
- Explore the Hall of Fame: Take five minutes to look at the trophy cases and the Hall of Fame displays. It gives you a sense of the history you’re stepping into. Names like Peggy Fleming and Dave Peterson aren't just names; they’re part of the floorboards here.
- Hydrate Like a Pro: This is a high-altitude tip. If you’re working out at El Pomar, you need twice as much water as you think you do. The building has plenty of filling stations—use them.
The facility represents the intersection of Colorado’s outdoor-obsessed culture and the rigorous academic standards of a top-tier liberal arts college. It’s where the physical meets the intellectual. Honestly, it’s just a great place to sweat.
If you're looking for the heart of the campus, skip the library for an hour. Head to the corner of Cache La Poudre and Cascade. Listen for the sneakers and the splashes. You’ll find it.
Practical Next Steps
- Verify Hours: If it’s a Block Break or a holiday, the hours shift significantly. Check the official Colorado College athletics website for the most current door times.
- Equipment Check: If you need to borrow a racket or a ball, the front desk usually has a checkout system, but you'll need to leave your ID.
- Locker Rentals: For long-term use, inquire about locker rentals early in the semester. They go fast, especially the ones near the showers.
- Safety First: If you’re new to altitude, scale back your intensity by 20% for the first week. Your heart and lungs will thank you.