Delta State renovates fitness center, Wyatt Gymnasium to expand recreation opportunities

Cleveland, MS (11/13/2026) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

Delta State renovates fitness center, Wyatt Gymnasium to expand recreation opportunities

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University has completed renovations to its fitness center and Wyatt Gymnasium, funded by a generous grant from the Bolivar Medical Center Foundation, to improve recreational opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community members.

"We are grateful to the Bolivar Medical Center Foundation for this generous investment in Delta State and the health of our community," said Dr. Suzette Matthews, Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the DSU Foundation. "Their support has helped us create welcoming, modern spaces where students and our neighbors can stay active, build relationships and pursue healthier lives."

The fitness center reopened Sept. 16, followed by the gymnasium Sept. 21. The improvements include new exercise equipment, flooring and court features, providing updated spaces for strength training, basketball, pickleball, volleyball, tennis and other recreational activities.

"These renovations were about much more than updating equipment and replacing floors. They were about investing in the future of campus recreation at Delta State University," said Kyle Partridge, Assistant Director of Collegiate Recreation and Wellness.

The fitness center renovation replaced equipment originally purchased in 1995 and 1996 that had reached the end of its useful life. The new layout offers a more balanced combination of assisted strength equipment and free weights, accommodating users ranging from beginners to experienced lifters.

Covington Flooring of Memphis installed the fitness center's new flooring and custom Delta State logo. Ready Fitness and Matrix assisted with equipment selection, facility layout and installation.

The gymnasium renovation replaced the original flooring installed when the facility opened in 1979. Its new playing surface features two full-size basketball courts with additional lines for pickleball and volleyball. The center court area includes a tennis court, two pickleball courts and two four-square courts.

The university also replaced basketball goals previously mounted to the rafters with new goals purchased through SNP Sports and added new scoreboards purchased through Rainey Electronics. New court dividers from Spalding Inc. of Brandon are scheduled for installation during Thanksgiving week.

Covington Flooring also installed the gymnasium's new flooring. The updated configuration expands the facility's capacity for intramural sports, tournaments and open recreation.

"We want Campus Recreation to be more than a place to work out or play sports; we want it to be a place where people feel connected to Delta State, get involved, step outside their comfort zones, and develop healthy habits that last a lifetime," Partridge said.

Community members can purchase an annual membership providing access to all recreational facilities. Members may also purchase access to individual facilities or combine options for the Ronald G. Mayers Aquatic Center, fitness center and basketball gym at varying prices.

Memberships can be purchased through Student Business Services in Kent Wyatt Hall on the Delta State campus.

For more information about membership options, prices and operating hours, visit deltastate.edu/students/recreation-wellness/forest-e-wyatt-center/.

Cutline: Delta State University's newly renovated fitness center features updated strength training equipment, free weights and flooring. The improvements were part of a renovation of the fitness center and Wyatt Gymnasium funded by a grant from the Bolivar Medical Center Foundation.

###

About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,800 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 15 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.

Media Attachments