Mission

SITKA FINE ARTS CAMP

Our mission is to build community by providing opportunities in the arts, culture, and recreation in an inclusive, educational, and inspirational environment.

THE HAMES CENTER | A program of Sitka Fine Arts Camp

The Hames Center is committed to personal and community wellness for all ages through indoor fitness and recreation opportunities and education. 

History

The Hames Center originally opened as the Lloyd F. Hames Physical Education Center in 1987, as part of Sheldon Jackson College. Following the school's closure, the city of Sitka took over management of the Fitness Center, but was forced to shut down its operation at the end of 2010. The Hames Center gained new life and energy when Sitka Fine Arts Camp accepted ownership of the Sheldon Jackson Campus. 

In 2011, Sitka Fine Arts Camp and a group of dedicated Sitkans launched a revitalization project that started the volunteer-run model of operation that is in place today. Fueled by volunteer hours, the Hames Center has been repaired and improved, and currently serves more than 900 members (and another thousand day users) in the community. Furthering the educational goals of the campus, the Hames Center offers a wide range classes and workshops in health promotion, wellness, exercise, and sports.

Below is a slideshow of the Hames Center restoration efforts (circa 2011)

This is a slideshow of a bunch of wonderful volunteers that poured their hearts and souls into opening a community fitness center. Over 6,000 hours of volunteer time and counting!! Now we celebrate the revitalization of an old building and all the care that went into its re-opening Feb. 1. Still running on volunteer power and memberships, it is looking like we've got a vibrant, healthy future! Great job Sitka.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Sheldon Jackson revitalization project that started with the Hames Center.

Sheldon Jackson College was founded in 1878. It was the oldest education institution in Alaska. The school suspended operations in 2007 after increasing operational costs, decreasing enrollment and millions of dollars of debt made it financially insolvent. On Feb. 1, the college’s Board of Trustees transferred ownership of the core campus to the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, which has used the campus for decades. Founded in 1973, the Sitka Fine Arts Camp hosts 500 students who come to learn about visual arts, music, dance, theater, writing and Alaska Native arts. It has used the campus for 25 years, but has never had a permanent home, said Roger Schmidt, executive director of the camp. The camp will work to revitalize the campus along with other community groups, including the Sitka Sound Science Center, the Sitka Summer Music Festival and the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Schmidt said he hopes the campus will be a “spark plug” for Sitka’s cultural life.

Now serving as a thriving fitness and recreation center, the Hames Center relies on the support of community members - through memberships and donations - to keep our doors open and improving while expanding our programming and reach.

Visit our DONATION page to find out more about how you can contribute to keeping the vision and story alive!