TURLOCK — Over the years, the gymnasium at Stanislaus State has housed many enthusiastic capacity crowds who have seen some great performances with numerous memorable moments. The arena on the East side of campus has also had many sweltering summer days. That's about to change.
 
Yes. An air conditioning system is finally going to be installed as the first phase of the latest renovation to an Athletics facility.
 
"This renovation is going to improve the spectators' game day experience and also allow for more positive experiences for our summer camps," Director of Athletics Michael Matoso said. "It will also open the facility more to outside community organizations.
 
When the state funded project, with an estimated cost of $3 million, is completed in the Fall of 2016, the Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena will no longer be the "Sweat Box" — a nickname used by many visiting opponents.
 
Instead, Matoso hopes 'The Fitz' will be a desired destination for more spectators and future student-athletes.
 
"The addition will be a game changer for our department and our university," Matoso added. "As we move up within the ranks of our conference and compete for championships, this renovation will play a major factor in helping attract the best student-athletes to join our great university."
 
Over the years, additions to the arena included state of the art sound system, expanded scoreboards, LED display tables and new courtside seats.  Other recent facility renovations included replacements of lights and upgrades to the basketball and softball team rooms. A current project to construct a new volleyball team room is near completion.
 
 "We have done major renovations to several of our facilities with lights, scoreboards, seating and locker rooms in recent years," Matoso said. "Our next main focus will be the next phase of the arena upgrades as we strive to have the best facilities in the CCAA."
 
Future plans to upgrade the arena will include a new playing surface, seating re-configurations, updated digital scoreboards and a redesigned lobby.
 
The gymnasium, which took on the name of Warrior Arena in 1999, was originally built in 1978.  The arena was renamed Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena in 2010.