Things look as they should to new students on campus, but returning students may have noticed a few obvious changes in the physical appearance of Mills College since last spring. Lisser Hall is currently under construction and slated to remain so until the spring of 2018. The pond next to the music building is dry again. Most notably, however, and in plain view as you pass through Richard’s Gate, is the new banner hanging from the fence separating the soccer field and the Trefethen Aquatic Center.
The new banner, white lettering on navy blue and sporting the iconic Mills “M,” is among many summer changes made to the Haas Pavilion and Trefethen Aquatic Center. Inside the Haas building, there’s been new equipment added, including two new stationary bikes, as well as long-overdue paint job. But the only way to indulge in the changes made at both facilities is to visit them.
Trefethen Aquatic Center, home of the Mills College Cyclone swim team, holds open lap swim for adults at varying times throughout the week, including Monday, Wednesday and Friday early morning lap swims, midday swims, evening swims, as well as weekend and afternoon. Trefethen also hosts Saturday and Sunday family recreational swims in the early afternoon. The pool is open to Mills students, faculty and staff free of charge. But don’t forget your Mills ID. Pass pricing is available online.
Unlike the pool, which is open to the public, the Mills College Fitness Center, located in the Haas Pavilion, is reserved exclusively for students, faculty and staff. Starting Sept. 10, the Fitness Center is open early morning from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from noon until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 7 p.m. Friday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Guests enjoy access to ellipticals, free weights, exercise balls, nautilus machines, treadmills, and basketballs and volleyballs, which can be used in the adjacent Haas Gymnasium.
Mills College observes Thanksgiving and closes its athletic facilities from November 22—26. Both facilities also close on Wednesday, December 20, for the winter break. They reopen Wednesday, January 17. Interim hours for the Fitness Center begin December 12 and run until December 19. Trefethen Aquatic Center will have sporadic closures throughout the fall, including all-day closures on Oct. 7, Sunday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 28. Evening closures will occur Tuesday, Oct. 3, Tuesday, Oct. 10, Friday, Oct. 13, Tuesday, Oct. and Friday, Oct. 27.
For more information and to remain up-to-date on updates and announcements, visit the Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation page via the Mills College website or visit the facilities directly.
