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\u201cWe have a holistic approach to engaging students around well-being and this new facility will allow us to elevate and celebrate that,\u201d Ferro said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Stoddard Fitness and Well-Being Center will double the amount of fitness space available to the campus community. Designed by internationally acclaimed Sasaki Associates Inc., the same architectural firm that gave Commons its distinctive look and created the vision for Alumni Walk, the new Stoddard Fitness and Well-Being Center will bridge Alumni Gym and Gray Athletic Building. With its striking windows and expansive architecture, it will open up onto a dynamic and vibrant Ladd Library Quad in the heart of campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Stoddard name is a tribute to Jocelyn\u2019s parents, Donald and Judith Stoddard, who both died in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor us, this gift is deeply personal,\u201d Jon Brayshaw said. \u201cDon and Judy taught us that true well-being comes from intentional living \u2014 nourishing the body, staying active, caring for one\u2019s inner life, and making choices that honor long\u2011term health. Seeing their names associated with a space dedicated to fitness and holistic wellness feels like a natural extension of how they lived and what they valued most.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
Vice President for College Advancement Eric Foush\u00e9e P\u201922, P\u201926 expressed deep gratitude to the Brayshaw family. \u201cThis gift puts us close to 90 percent of our goal to break ground on this exciting and much-needed project,\u201d Foush\u00e9e said. \u201cI know the Bates community will join me in thanking the Brayshaws for this resounding commitment to the college\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAthletics was at the center of our Bates experience,\u201d Jon Brayshaw said. It\u2019s how the couple met: \u201cWe were both part of a group of students that helped start the Bates College Rowing Association.\u201d The Association has since transitioned to varsity status at the college, fielding some of the most successful men’s and women’s rowing teams in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even at that time, Jon and Jocelyn were conscious that Bates\u2019 interest and belief in fitness and well-being was bigger than what the physical campus could support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlthough most of our time was spent out on the water, we remember how challenging it was to find adequate facilities on campus for off-season or inclement weather workouts,\u201d Jon Brayshaw said. \u201cWhen we learned that the college was interested in building a facility to expand fitness and wellness offerings and to also modernize and enhance Alumni Gym, we both saw a great opportunity to address this longstanding challenge for Bates student-athletes and others who would benefit from greater access to state-of-the-art fitness facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to Bates\u2019 31 varsity teams, there are many club and intramural athletes on campus, as well as many fitness, strength training, yoga, and pilates enthusiasts. Some may be students pursuing wellness activities for the first time in their lives. An average of 450 students use the Davis Fitness Center in Underhill Arena daily. \u201cWe\u2019ve maxed out that space,\u201d said Director of Capital Planning and Construction Chris Streifel. Factoring in faculty and staff, the number of Bates community members using these facilities potentially tops 2,600. \u201cWe\u2019re more than ready for this additional facility,\u201d Streifel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hope is for a spring groundbreaking on May 1. \u201cA gift like the Brayshaw family\u2019s is truly a game-changer,\u201d Foush\u00e9e said. \u201cAt the same time, we know we have work to do to spread the word about the significance of this project and meet our critical fundraising goal.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis facility will be transformative in strengthening Bates\u2019 commitment to overall student well-being.\u201d<\/p>\nPresident Garry W. Jenkins<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The scope of the project is considerable, encompassing improvements to Alumni Gym (originally opened in 1928) such as necessary infrastructure upgrades and renovations to lounges and other vital spaces. The restoration and reopening of a viewing balcony in Alumni Gym will enhance the vibrant atmosphere of this much-loved athletic facility. A new practice basketball court will be added to Gray Cage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project will provide new and newly renovated locker rooms for 11 teams: baseball, men\u2019s basketball, women\u2019s basketball, field hockey, men\u2019s alpine skiing, women\u2019s alpine skiing, men\u2019s Nordic skiing, women\u2019s Nordic skiing, men\u2019s soccer, softball, and volleyball. There will also be a new space for sports medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Stoddard Fitness and Well-Being Center will be home to new coaching offices and program spaces. The center will support students’ personal health, wellness, and fitness goals, allowing for improved workouts for all \u2014 from varsity and club athletes preparing for their next big competition to students integrating physical activity for balance in their lives. A breathtaking second-level studio for yoga and pilates will overlook Ladd Library Quad, and the facility will also be home to a number of spaces to support well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Director of Athletics Stacey Bunting said the Stoddard Fitness and Well-Being Center represents the physical embodiment of what she\u2019s seen of Bates students\u2019 passion for holistic well-being since she joined the college in July 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis facility will have a tremendous impact on the student-athlete experience, but its reach extends far beyond athletics,\u201d Bunting said. \u201cThe Stoddard Fitness and Well-Being Center creates a modern, dedicated space where every student can define and prioritize their own well-being. That shared experience across the entire campus is what makes this project so powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about the vision for the project, and to view architectural renderings and videos, visit these pages<\/a>. Individuals interested in furthering momentum for the project through additional philanthropic support are encouraged to contact Vice President for College Advancement Eric Foush\u00e9e P\u201922, P\u201926 or Director of Leadership Giving Seth Williams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eric Foush\u00e9e<\/strong> | efoushee@bates.edu<\/a> | 207-755-5985 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seth Williams<\/strong> | swilliams2@bates.edu<\/a> | 207-755-5988<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/files\/2026\/03\/13_View-within-Studio-900x506.webp\")
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