On December 9, President Marc C. Conner announced the official opening of the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center on January 21st, 2025. This long-awaited project was possible due to the generosity of the McCaffery-Wagman-Wachenheim families and by the additional support of Skidmore alumni and families.
Students can expect the Center to provide many services, including housing Health and Counseling Services, Fitness and Wellness centers, and Athletics Training. The building will include spaces for yoga, meditation, martial arts, spin, indoor tennis courts, and varsity training spaces.
The Department of Health Promotion will move to the new building during Finals Week. Then, Health Services and the Counseling Center will move on January 6th. These services will be closed between December 19th and 20th to prepare for relocation. As noted in a December 9th email from the Counseling Center and Health Services, students have access to emergency mental health support through the Counseling Center’s phone, 518-580-5555. Additionally, students have access to BetterMynd, the college’s teletherapy provider. Cardio and fitness facilities will remain accessible to students, faculty, and staff during open hours between January 6th to the 20th.
The Center has been marketed as a “holistic approach to student health and wellness.” The College aims to bring mental and physical health resources together, open doors for everyone to pursue athletics and fitness, and create a welcoming place for all. On Skidmore’s official website, the school maintains that it needed to raise $22 million for the project.
While much excitement surrounds this monumental addition to Skidmore’s campus, a few students also have questions about accessibility and effectiveness. A popular student concern includes finding reasonable ways to walk to the Center, especially in inclement weather, from far spaces or if experiencing a disability. Another concern is about privacy, or lack thereof.
“I don’t really want a ‘gym bro’ to see me walking into the Counseling Center,” a Skidmore student, who elected to remain anonymous, said. “That’s supposed to be private information. The [current] location at JoTo can be hard too, but it does feel more private.”
The Skidmore News spoke to other students who voiced other concerns about the Health Center. “I have some pre-existing conditions and I can’t walk up or down too many hills,” they said. “From where I live, getting to the Sport’s Center is a challenge. I know Campus Security can help with transportation but I feel bad about asking them too much.”
Despite these concerns, it seems that most students are simply waiting to see how efficiently the Center will provide for the campus. “It sounds really exciting,” one student said. “I’m not sure if people will like it, but I’m definitely gonna go check it out.”
Regardless of how Skidmore proceeds, there is no doubt that many eyes will be watching the new endeavor; undoubtedly, more information will come from the administration soon.