There is a three-phase plan to improve the Hillsdale College athletic facilities that includes the renovation of Jesse Philips Arena (in the Roche Sports Complex) and the construction of two new athletic facilities.

Philips Arena will be refurbished for varsity basketball and volleyball and will be renovated as a new Student Fitness Center. A two- to three-story mezzanine with a climbing wall will be located at the north end of the arena. Exercise machines (treadmills, elliptical trainers), a dance studio, a smoothie bar, and lockers will be located in various areas of the mezzanine. For varsity basketball and volleyball, the existing track and courts will be removed and replaced with four new hardwood courts. Orientation of the new courts will be in an east-west direction, with moveable bleachers on each side. One court will be dedicated to student use, while the other three courts will be used for varsity basketball and volleyball practices and games. Total cost of all these renovations is expected to be $2.7 million. Additional renovation will include the locker area at the south end of the Arena, near the current dance studio. Within the Arena, the Press Box will be upgraded to a VIP suite and the arena lighting will be replaced. Cost for this additional renovation is expected to be $300,000.

The new Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center will be constructed as a 76,000-square-foot indoor Track and Tennis Center and will include a six- to eight-lane, 200-meter regulation track and four individual tennis courts. Varsity teams will use the facility for winter workouts or during inclement weather. The large open space will also accommodate large College events, such as commencement. The projected cost is $7.2 million.

The third part of the project is a 45,000-square-foot Turf Building designed as an all-purpose facility and featuring an open area with an artificial-turf playing surface of approximately 150 x 300 feet. The Turf Building will be used for club sports, intramural flag football, and other student activities-like ultimate Frisbee and mush ball-as well as winter practices for football, baseball, and softball. The cost will be $2.6 million.