Courtesy-Franklin College FB page
FRANKLIN, Ind. – Franklin College broke ground on the historic Elwood Fitness Center to officially begin its next chapter on Friday, October 10. The ceremonial groundbreaking marked the start of a $9.5 million renovation and restoration project that will update the campus facility.
The event featured remarks from Franklin College President Kerry N. Prather, Franklin College Board Chair and 1980 alumnus Pete Cangany, City of Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett, and multiple key donors who have made the renovation possible.
The renovation project, expected to be completed in early 2027, will restore the building’s historic façade while transforming the interior into a modern, multifunctional facility for students. It will include spaces for personal fitness activities, recreational and intramural sports, and athletic offices, locker rooms, and support services for the football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s lacrosse teams.
Originally constructed in the early 1900s and expanded in the 1920s, the Elwood Fitness Center was once a central hub for campus athletics and student life.
Four families played a pivotal role in launching the project. Franklin College Trustee Amber (Robbins) Elwood ’99 and her husband, John, of Columbus, served as lead donors, with their gift renaming the facility the Elwood Fitness Center. Roger and Jan Johnson of Scottsdale, Arizona, Trustee Jim Napolitan (HD ’12), Ph.D., and his wife, Sandy (Mock) Napolitan ’60, Ph.D., and Jerry ’67 and Faye Petro of Franklin provided significant monetary gifts.
To date, over $7 million has been raised toward the goal.
Emphasizing the collective effort behind the project, Prather urged continued engagement and pride in the College’s progress. “I hope everyone here is motivated to remain engaged, to share the story of this facility and this project far and wide, and to take pride in what your support is making possible. Every gesture of advocacy, every act of philanthropy, and every word of encouragement continues the legacy of excellence symbolized by this building.”
