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The Alumni Athletic Complex and Burke Field 

Houghton completed a $1.3 million project to renovate the outdoor athletic facilities in the fall of 1998. A lighted 400-meter, eight-lane, all-weather track and a multi-purpose soccer/field hockey game field were added, as was a 1,300 seat grandstand. In 1999, the all purpose field was named Burke Field in honor of former men's soccer coach Doug Burke and his wife, Esther. Also on the lower level is a field hockey field and practice fields. Six tennis courts were constructed on the area formerly occupied by Alumni Field on the upper level near the Nielsen Center. 

Nielsen Physical Education Center 

Occupied in December 1980, the Nielsen Physical Education Center houses three basketball courts, running track, auxiliary gymnasium with climbing wall, four racquetball courts, weight cage featuring nautilus equipment and free weights, faculty offices, classrooms, seminar rooms; and the George R. Wells Natatorium with a full-sized (25-meter) swimming pool with three diving boards (one a three-meter board). The front of the Nielsen Center received a new facade in 1999.

In 2004, the college completed a $175,000 project to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for, and renovate, a 2,200 square-foot track-level fitness center and an 800 square-foot weightroom.

The fitness center is located on the second level of the Nielsen Physical Education Center on the site of the former weightcage. The enclosed area is carpeted and air-conditioned and features a built-in sound system, providing optimum workout conditions.

The center features 12 machines from the LifeFitness Club Series for strength training and cardio equipment that includes three treadmills, three elliptical machines, two recumbent bikes, three upright bikes, two stairsteppers, and a recumbent stepper.

New equipment was also purchased for the free-weight area, which has been relocated to one of the racquetball courts. This area now includes four power racks which are adjustable for a variety of exercises, including flat, incline, and decline bench, military presses, and squats. A cable crossover machine and preacher curl bench were added to the room, which also includes a Smith machine and leg press machine that were purchased in 2003.