UNIVERSITY GYMNASIUM "BLUE GYM"

DIRECTIONS | GOOGLE MAP | DODGE FITNESS CENTER | DODGE FITNESS CENTER FACILITIES

QUICK FACTS

Official Name: University Gymnasium
Date Opened: Renovated to current capacity in December 1974; Originally opened in 1900
Seating Capacity: 500 for wrestling and fencing
Size: 12,600-square feet
Surface/Structure: Rubberized Mondo Floor
Location: Dodge Fitness Center, Morningside Heights campus, Columbia University
Original Cost: $13 million as part of Dodge Fitness Center in 1974
Named For: University Hall, the previous building on the site
Address: 3030 Broadway, Mail Code 1900, New York, N.Y. 10027

THE FACILITY

Located within the current Dodge Fitness Center, Columbia’s University Gym, better known as the "Blue Gym" is part of the original gymnasium built in University Hall, as indicated by the massive columns and wooden balcony above. It currently serves as the competition home of the Columbia Fencing and Wrestling teams.

With a Mondo rubberized surface, University Gym is a multi-purpose gymnasium used primarily for a variety of activities including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and badminton. The gym provides 5,000-square feet of competition and practice space.

The current University Gymnasium opened in December 1974 as part of the newly-renovated Marcellus Hartley Dodge Fitness Center. Prior to that renovation, Columbia athletics teams and primarily the Lions men’s basketball team competed at University Gymnasium which was part of University Hall. University Hall was completed in 1900 and featured the school’s gymnasium with a marble pool below it, power plant and a 500-capacity dining hall, called University Commons on the campus level. The building's horseshoe shape combined with the two prominent smokestacks sticking out of it from the power plant led to it being called the "Steamboat on the Hill.”

The Dodge Physical Fitness Center is located at Broadway and West 119th Street. However, the building cannot be entered from 119th Street; it can only be entered from the campus level, accessible through the 116th Street gates.

UNIVERSITY GYMNASIUM AMENITIES

Competition home for Columbia’s wrestling and fencing programs.
Multi-purpose athletics gymnasium.
Mondo rubberized performance surface.
Configurable for basketball, soccer, volleyball, and badminton.
Three-story open area with cardio-fitness and strength training facility.
State-of-the-art machines include treadmills, elliptical trainers, steppers and selectorized weight training systems.
70 pieces of cardiovascular equipment.
Two bench presses.
Fourth floor Equipment and Towel Lending Room.
160-meter running track with competitive banked turns and mondo-rubberized performance surface.
Changing rooms with full showers and restroom facilities.
Scandinavian sauna available in both men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Training Facilities
Columbia Athletic Training Room
Columbia Equipment Room
Aldo T. “Buff” Donelli Strength and Conditioning Room