Cator, Ruma & Associates provided the design of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems along with the construction administration for the renovation and expansion of El Pomar Fitness Center at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The project consisted of the construction of a fitness center addition, a new administrative addition, and the renovation of the existing 1970 facility. The existing facility was required to remain occupied during construction.

The new fitness addition is two levels and houses a gymnasium, strength training areas, cardio training, yoga spaces and locker room facilities. The administrative addition is comprised of three levels of office space. The existing varsity gymnasium, auxiliary gymnasium, weight training and locker facilities were expanded and renovated. Variable volume air-handling units (AHU) were installed to serve the new additions, with the unit serving the fitness addition equipped with energy recovery due to the high amount of ventilation air required. Cooling was added to the original facility in conjunction with this project. Chilled water was extended from the campus central utility plant and distributed throughout the building. El Pomar is heated via high temperature-hot water supplied from the central utility plant. 

The building electrical service was reconfigured and upgraded to accommodate the new construction and additional loads. A vertically-mounted track lighting system utilizing LED luminaires was utilized in the rock climbing gym to provide vertical illumination on the inverted climbing surfaces. Automatic lighting controls were provided throughout the facility with occupancy sensing devices utilized in offices, locker rooms, storage rooms, utility rooms, and other similar spaces.