Warren G. Grimes Center

The Warren G. Grimes Center is the athletic hub of Urbana University, serving as the host site for acrobatics & tumbling, basketball, swimming, volleyball, and wrestling contests, along with housing the athletic offices, weight room, training room, locker rooms and classrooms.

The structure was heralded as a "dream come true" by many upon its dedication in April 1971. Originally called the College Community Center, the 52,000 square-foot facility required two years and $1.4 million to become a reality. The building features a 1,500-seat gymnasium and indoor aquatics center.

In 1995, Urbana University's President Frances Hazard proposed that the Community Center be renamed the Warren G. Grimes Center, after the late industrialist, philanthropist and civic leader. Citing Grimes' evident and extensive contributions to the community, the re-naming was intended to honor his legacy in perpetuity.

Before his death in 1975, Grimes had been a longtime financial supporter of the University and other causes within the Urbana community. In addition to serving two terms as the city's mayor, he led the charge to build Mercy Memorial Hospital, presented the Urbana Police Department with its first radio system, and gave the city its airport - Grimes Field.

Grimes got his start when he dropped out of school after ninth grade and began working at Ford Motor Company where he designed the interior lighting for the Ford Tri-Motor airplane, the famous "Tin Goose."

After returning to Urbana in 1930, he learned that his designs for revolutionary aircraft position lighting had been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The news led him to launch Grimes Manufacturing Co., a business that produced airport lighting systems that are still used worldwide.

Grimes garnered local and national honors including 1961's Horatio Alger Award. One of the United States' highest honors, the award is "dedicated to the free enterprise system and the American tradition of equal opportunity that enables youth to overcome humble beginnings and achieve success through hard work, honesty and determination."