In the spring of 2018, Elizabethtown College confirmed plans to construct a fitness and wellness center on campus. When construction crews struck ground in summer 2018, initial response from students was mixed. Some students were excited to have expanded facilities. The Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being features a full indoor track and large gym with more exercise machines than the Body Shop. However, some students were critical of the school for putting more money into the new project while there were existing repairs and department needs. Recently, it was announced that major programs in philosophy, theater, peace and conflict studies and film studies will be phased out of the Etown curriculum due to lack of attendance in these areas. This construction raised the question, in public spaces and on the social media app, about what the school intended to focus its financial efforts on.

Now that the Bowers Center is fully constructed and officially opened Tuesday Aug. 27, students have had a chance to tour the facilities and experiences the services offered. With the total square footage of the center topping at 81,900 square feet, it offers the most space on campus for activities. The Office of Student Activities (OSA) also plans to hold intramural sports games and meetings on the new courts this fall. The Cardio, Strength & Fitness areas, which will replace the Body Shop, offer 58 cardio machines and 38 strength machines.

From the perspective of athletic trainers and student athletes, these improvements were much needed. The Body Shop was often full to capacity with students and student athletes, and the Thompson Gymnasium only offers a few small training areas. With the expansion provided by the building, there is more room for students in on-campus health and wellness spaces.

Still, the Bowers Center signals a lot of changes to the campus and life at Etown itself. Etown has been a liberal arts school with a focus on academic performance and service learning since its inception in 1899. Certain things have stayed the same: the lack of a football team, the “Educate for Service” motto through Into the Street and the Center for Civic Engagement and the values of the Brethren Church in our classes about peace and pacifism.

However, some of the ideas that founded the college are beginning to change. Certain liberal arts departments are being phased out as the school population and their career aspirations change. Faculty and staff have seen a lot of familiar faces leave, and some wonder how students will continue to receive the liberal arts education they have signed on to receive. It seems like the beginning of a new era with a “healthy body, healthy mind” focus. The question is: are we balancing “body” and “mind” enough, or are we sacrificing too much of one for the other?

Expert Corner

Written by: Director of the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being Whitney Jones

Coming to the school as the director of the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being halfway through its construction, Jones has been able to guide the project from a completely new perspective. January was a transitional month for the project and Jones was able to oversee the building plan, the placement of facilities and the expansion of the existing fitness and wellness centers on campus.

“It’s been nice to see progress through every point in construction, from building it to having the empty rooms to seeing it full of people,” Jones said.

From her perspective, many of the choices – from more general names to more open spaces – have been deliberate in reaching the entire campus community.

“I think making the names and the services at the Bowers Center broader makes it less pin-pointed for just athletes,” Jones said. “It’s important for students to know that this isn’t just a place for athletes, but for every student on campus.”

It’s often said that the first impression is the most important. The Bowers Center was open for early returning students about three weeks before the official start of the semester, but many visitors and students have climbed the steps this week to see what was going on in the brand-new building over the hill.

“According to our Jayclock swipe system, we’ve had 5,427 people enter, not counting visitors to the school,” Jones said.

One of the overarching goals of the new facilities is expansion. Additionally, the expansion covers more than just getting more cardio equipment. Jones shared some of the plans for the extra rooms and space.

“Spinning classes, student-led group workout sessions, personal training and yoga classes are on the agenda for the new rooms,” Jones said. “We’re looking forward to making our upper level the ‘well-being’ wing, which will focus on relaxation and stress-reducing activities as well as physical fitness.”

The first year is almost always a year of trials and tests. Jones seems optimistic and plans to follow up on students’ responses and wishes for the Bowers Center.

“It’s only going to get better from here,” Jones said.

The Bowers Center will continue to look at student traffic as an indicator of which facilities are used the most. The team will also be taking critical suggestions through the E-town Jays app and emails sent to their working address, sawr@etown.edu.