HEBRON - With a new athletic center set to open in October, Hebron Academy's cramped arts department will be taking over the former gymnasium.

Mike Hughes, director of buildings and grounds at the academy, said the hope is to open the Sargent Memorial Gymnasium to the visual and performing arts at the school after Christmas.

"We've already begun a lot of the infrastructure, behind the scenes work," Hughes said.

He said plumbing has been installed, and other work will include upgrades to the electric and fire alarm systems, and work to minimize the use of the heating system.

The transfer of the arts program to the building was planned four to five years ago as part of the academy's master plan. Classrooms for the arts are shared on the lower level of Sturtevant Hall now.

"The space is somewhat limiting," said Julie Middleton, admissions officer and drama director at the school.

The gymnasium has had a stage flanked by murals since it was established in 1930, and is home to a winter student performance and concerts. However, Middleton said arts and athletics often compete for the space, as the stage overlooks the basketball court.

Middleton said the Hebron Academy Players, the academy's theater group, is usually only able to use the stage for full technical rehearsals in the last week before a performance.

When athletics are transferred to the new 54,000-square-foot center, the gymnasium will be open to the arts. Plans are to convert the lower gymnasium and fitness center into classrooms and faculty offices. The walls will only extend 10 feet toward the high ceilings, allowing for heat distribution, and large windows overlooking the campus will let in natural light.

The former arts space in Sturtevant Hall will become the new home of the student union recreational space.

The new athletic facility will include squash courts, an indoor rock climbing wall, and a large open space beneath an elevated jogging track. Communications coordinator David Inglehart said the new building and new use of the old gymnasium addresses a student need for more space.

"This is really going to open things up and make the claustrophobia of wintertime much less burdensome," Inglehart said.

Head of School John King said the academy has waited 30 years to put the building project into play.

"It's going to be a huge boon to our community life on campus," he said. "And frankly, we can't wait."