Brewer Gymnasium Reopens as Construction Progress Continues Across John A. Logan College Campus
Published on July 9, 2026
Student-athletes are back on the court at John A. Logan College after Brewer Gymnasium officially reopened following approval from structural engineers working with the Illinois Capital Development Board, marking another milestone in the college’s ongoing campus transformation.
Earlier this month, the college received clearance to resume activities in the gymnasium, allowing athletic programs to return home after months of practicing and competing at alternate locations while construction and structural repairs were underway.
Athletic Director Greg Starrick said the reopening comes at an important time as fall sports prepare to begin.
“We are excited to get our student-athletes back in the gym,” Starrick said. “Volleyball will begin fall practice soon, and several of our men’s and women’s basketball players will return to campus in July.”
Starrick also thanked area schools and neighboring community colleges for supporting the Volunteers during the temporary closure.
“I am grateful to all of the area high schools that allowed us to practice in their facilities, and to our fellow community colleges that allowed us to play our home games in their gyms during the second half of the season,” he said.
The reopening of Brewer Gymnasium comes as work continues on the college’s Logan Hall and West Lobby expansion project. The project recently received clearance to proceed following a structural review.
According to Assistant Vice President of Construction, Planning, and Facilities Management Jeremy Sargent, demolition work is largely complete, earthwork has wrapped up, and crews are preparing to begin concrete work over the coming months.
Although the gymnasium has reopened, Sargent said portions of the athletic complex remain closed while structural beam repairs continue.
“The athletic offices, restrooms, lobby, and concession area remain closed because structural beam repair work is still underway,” Sargent said. “Those spaces cannot reopen until that work is completed.”
The Logan Hall and West Lobby expansion project is now scheduled for completion in December 2027.
Several departments that were temporarily relocated during construction have now returned to their permanent locations. Risk Management and Digital Marketing staff are back in their offices, and Testing Services has resumed operations in its campus location. However, the E133 computer lab will continue serving as the college’s testing site for the foreseeable future.
The reopening of Brewer Gymnasium is one of several milestones in an unprecedented period of construction across the John A. Logan College campus.
Construction of the college’s new Career and Technical Education Center remains on schedule for completion in December 2026. Partially funded by a federal grant, the state-of-the-art facility will house Automotive Services, Auto Body, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and Welding programs, expanding workforce training opportunities in southern Illinois.
Another major federally funded project is the renovation of the third floor of the Communications Building, which will become the new home of the college’s Nursing programs. Construction crews are currently installing metal stud framing, electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC infrastructure. The renovation is expected to be completed in late spring 2027.
Additional projects continue to move forward across campus. The Harrison Bruce Foundation’s Prairie Museum, located within the Harrison Bruce Historical Village, is progressing ahead of schedule and will become a significant addition to the region’s historical attractions. Meanwhile, dredging work at Hoffard Pond is expected to be completed before the start of the fall semester.
College officials have also announced the next phase of campus improvements. Renovations to the current Nursing program space and the Conference Center are in the design phase and are expected to begin in 2027.
Despite months of construction, office relocations, and changing traffic patterns, students and employees have continued to navigate the evolving campus as preparations for the fall semester continue. New signage has been installed throughout campus to assist visitors, and a dedicated construction webpage on the college’s website provides updates on closures, relocations, and project progress.
College President Dr. Kirk Overstreet said the temporary inconveniences created by construction will ultimately strengthen the institution for future generations.
“What an exciting time at JALC,” Overstreet said. “Everywhere you look, there are signs of progress. Change can be a little messy at times, but that’s the nature of improvement. When the dust settles, we’ll have taken another step toward making our campus an even better place for our students, employees, and community.”
Overstreet said the extensive improvements represent a long-term investment in student success, workforce development, and the future of southern Illinois.
“We are building more than buildings,” he said. “We are creating opportunities that will serve our students and our region for decades to come.”