Panther Fitness Center
Client: Elder High School
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Two-story addition with a 5,870sf weight training facility, changing room and locker room, lobby space and coaches' office.
  • 6,000sf multi-purpose space on upper level to accommodate wrestling practice.
  • Smaller group/meeting space for up to 25 people with views to the courtyard below.
Interesting Fact: The goal of the Panther Fitness Center was to improve space, safety, efficiency and performance standards for student and student-athletes, as well as support recruiting efforts.

When Elder called upon SHP to help the school improve its safety, efficiency and performance standards for students and student-athletes, we met the challenge head-on. After months of master planning, the results were a state-of-the-art weight training facility and a multi-purpose space to accommodate wrestling practice and views overlooking the stadium in the evening.

"The client said they wanted a WOW-factor when you entered the campus. They also wanted an addition that took cues from the original historic high school, but was a more transparent and modern interpretation. The PFC is now the main gathering spot on Friday nights before home games in the famous "Pit" football stadium."
– Jeffrey Sackenheim, Vice President of Architecture, SHP