At the south gate, a local resident practices Tai Chi, moving in rhythm with the summer cicadas. He has watched this concrete giant in Changsha's Houjiatang area evolve since its groundbreaking on December 9, 1987. Built with a 54 million RMB investment, the He Long Gymnasium opened in November 1991 as China's first major sports venue named after a national leader.

The building quickly became a provincial monument, hosting the 1st Asian Gymnastics Championships. Financial strain later forced a controversial shift. The 15,600-square-meter space became a commercial nightclub. Late-night drumbeats replaced the squeak of athletic shoes, and unapproved interior alterations threatened the original architecture.

A 55 million RMB public reclamation project began in 2019 to rescue the structure. Workers stripped the old roof, raising a new steel canopy 28 meters above the ground. Today, the 58-by-30-meter competition hall breathes again. An automated climate control system holds the air at a crisp 26 degrees Celsius. Laser-guided high-pressure water cannons stand guard in the ceiling, scanning for fire risks.

The modernized arena seats up to 6,500 spectators, utilizing over 2,000 remote-controlled retractable stands to adapt the floor plan. It absorbs the roar of the crowd during National Basketball League games, where rival fans shake hands in the aisles. Recently, the hall echoed with the metallic clashes of the RoboMaster 2026 tournament, as 32 university teams battled with custom-engineered machines. Under the glare of intelligent sports lighting, the gymnasium has returned to its original purpose, anchoring the community through shared motion and competition.