Expanding Wellness, Training, and Practice at Lawrence University
Level Up is a Lawrence University facilities project that expands indoor recreation, fitness, training, and practice space for students across campus. The project reflects how today’s students engage with wellness through physical activity, creative practice, and shared spaces that support connection and balance.
Through two complementary facilities, The Hub and The Loop, Level Up increases capacity and supports year-round programming for Athletics, the Conservatory, and the broader campus community.
The Hub
A Downtown Space for Fitness, Recreation, and Creative Practice
The Hub is a 56,000-square-foot facility located in the City Center East building, adjacent to Fox Commons in downtown Appleton. Gifted to Lawrence University by local business leaders, the facility brings student wellness, recreation, and practice space into the heart of the city.
The Hub supports a wide range of student activity while easing demand on the Buchanan-Kiewit Wellness Center, allowing that facility to focus on expanded intramural sports options, fitness classes, and campuswide wellness programming.
The Hub includes a 2,000-square-foot Conservatory Practice Suite with features like:
15 acoustically insulated Wenger rehearsal modules
Virtual Acoustic Environment technology that allows students to simulate a wide range of performance venues
A recording studio that pairs with post-production facilities in the West Campus building
The practice suite expands rehearsal capacity, reduces competition for space, and supports focused, venue-specific preparation for performance.
The Hub includes dedicated areas for:
Strength training and cardio
Batting cages and bullpen
Fencing training
Hockey shooting
A simulator suite with three bays supporting interactive and virtual activities
These spaces support both structured training and informal recreation, offering students flexible ways to engage with wellness and connection outside the classroom.
The Loop
A Dedicated Training Home for Vikings Athletics
The Loop is a purpose-built athletic training facility located adjacent to Alexander Gymnasium. Designed as a practice and training space rather than a competition venue, The Loop addresses long-standing space limitations affecting Lawrence’s varsity athletics programs.
With 459 student-athletes competing in 24 varsity sports, representing approximately one-third of total enrollment, the facility provides consistent access to on-campus training environments and reduces reliance on off-campus or limited-hour spaces.
The Loop includes a comprehensive indoor track and field training area featuring:
A six-lane, 200-meter running track
Long jump runway with a 23-foot sand pit
Pole vault runway and landing area
Dedicated throwing areas for field events
These features allow student-athletes to train year-round, regardless of weather conditions, improving preparation, safety, and performance.
At the center of The Loop is one of the largest indoor, turf-covered infield areas in the Fox Cities. It includes:
Striping for soccer, football, and lacrosse training
Baseball and softball practice areas
Optional netting to support multiple simultaneous activities and athlete safety
In addition to varsity athletics, The Loop supports intramural sports, campus recreation, youth sports camps, and community programming, allowing activities to continue during inclement weather and high-use seasons.
One Project, Shared Purpose
Together, The Hub and The Loop expand Lawrence University’s capacity to support student wellness, training, and practice in ways that reflect how students live, learn, and connect today.
Level Up provides the physical spaces that allow students to move, practice, train, and gather, supporting academic life, creative work, athletic excellence, and a strong sense of community for Lawrence and the Fox Cities.