The days of squeezing into a crowded weight room or exercise facility for a workout are close an end, according to Director of Facilities and Operations Dawn Sanner.
The long-awaited addition to Carmichael Gymnasium is beginning to take shape as Sanner said she hopes the facility will be accessible to students by mid-September.
“The progress is going well,” Sanner said.
Sanner said the building is looking better with every individual addition.
“I am amazed each week to see the differences both inside and out,” she said. “I’m now seeing painted walls and ceiling tiles. Each week some major change is being made. This week, bathroom tile, terrazzo for at least one floor and the fitness floor arrives. It’s very exciting after 15 months to be coming this close to the end of the project.”
According to Sanner, the facility is a response from the Campus Recreation department to students expressing that space in the current gym was limited.
Nathan Wallace, a junior in criminology, said he eagerly anticipates the increased access to un-crowded facilities.
“The last few years, I’ve found that the weight rooms were too crowded,” Wallace said. “The additional weight rooms and basketball courts guarantee more time and space for my work out.”
Sanner said the new addition will include a variety of new services available to students never offered before.
“The outdoor storehouse will be moving to the center allowing for easier access to equipment, especially boats, and will feature a resource center for those who wish to plan their own ‘outdoor adventures’ or those who wish to join Campus Recreation in a more formalized experience,” Sanner said.
Sanner said dining services will be providing a healthy option at the Port City Java located inside.
“Smoothies, fresh juices, and coffee will be on the post-workout menu,” she said. “Finally, new services will be available: personal training, fitness assessment and massage will be available for a reduced fee to students.”
According to Sanner, the equipment will receive upgrades and higher quality as well.
“We also heard the complaint of overcrowding, lack of variety in equipment and outdated equipment,” Sanner said. “This facility will have state-of-the-art equipment, starting with 18 treadmills, and in an environment that features 14 plasma screen TVs showing campus cable.”
Sanner also added that the project has been fortunate not to have any major setbacks thus far.
“We had a few rain delays and the normal construction problems [like] availability of contracted items,” Sanner said. “But we have not had a major delay to date.”
