The Etownian >> News
Wellness and fitness center proposed
Thursday May 06 2010
Have you heard the whispers? The brief mentions of “new facilities,” or “juice bars?” The administration is in the midst of putting together a plan to propose a new facility on campus to the board of trustees. This proposed facility would be a wellness/fitness center right here at Elizabethtown.However, these plans are not yet official. “We are still in the preliminary stages.” Dean Calenda said. “We are doing a lot of brainstorming with those on campus who would have an interest.”
The new facility would open the door to all sorts of different activities and classes for students. The building will have different spaces used for different purposes, the first being the relocation of the Body Shop equipment. According to Calenda, “we would have a strength circuit, a cardio area and a free weight area.”
“We are looking into a space within the facility that would accommodate group classes,” Calenda said. In the past, Elizabethtown has partnered with the E-town Fitness center to provide students with pilates and aerobics classes. “I hope the center will be able to take the Body Shop to the next level and expand it. I hope it will be a vibrant place for programs such as Zumba, Efit, and other fitness classes that students currently have to go off campus for,” Spayd said.
With a space on campus, we would be able to offer these classes on campus. This space would also give the College the opportunity to offer its students access to spinning classes. “There has been a lot of interest shown in this area,” Calenda said.
Housed within this facility would also be an intramurals representative. An intramurals rep would also be housed in the facility. This would make it easier for students to get information about what intramurals are offered to the students and how to go about starting a new team or sport.
But where do we have the space to put this new facility? As of right now, the most popular idea is to add it on to the back of the Thompson Gym and the Jay Walk.
This would take away some of the green space of Brinser field, though some would remain. The proposal plans to leave a terrace in front of the building to accommodate relaxation and outdoor recreation, such as tossing a frisbee. If this location is chosen, the plans would also include the creation of more green space at a different location on campus.
“I think a fitness/wellness facility would be very beneficial to this campus,” senior Nicholas Wagenseller said. “Had there been a larger facility offered earlier during my Elizabethtown career, I would have used the weight room more often.”
“Brilliant!” senior Kristina Psitos exclaimed upon hearing the plans. First-year Eric Capece stated, “As an active person myself, I would love to see other students embracing the need to stay fit and healthy “
“One of my goals for student life is to have a signature campus recreation wellness program. I would like to see wellness initiatives come from this center,” Calenda said. The College provides the first half of what it considers to be successful to their students: education. With this new facility, Etown would be providing their students with the second half of the recipe, the knowledge of good health and fitness.
Sandy Spayd, director of student wellness and campus health, has always been an advocate of having more of a wellness focus on campus.
“I hope that we are able to create a space that the entire campus community can come together in a social setting that promotes healthy choices,” Spayd said.
Activities and amenities such as yoga, a fitness center and classes, physical trainer to help all students, smoking cessation, dietitians, and exercises in mental creativity would possibly be offered at the new fitness/wellness center.
“I hope it becomes a place on campus that people can gather and work together for healthier behaviors and overall personal well-being,” Spayd said.
The Etownian >> News