Fitness center on track for August completion

The new Center for Healthy Living is on track for an August opening.

“The project is going well,” said Chris Ehlers, construction project manager. “We have all the steel nearly installed at the addition, and the interior construction is ahead of construction of the addition. We’re also doing some work in the existing gym, adding new court flooring and repainting.”

Ehlers said new exercise equipment for the expanded center is currently being selected, although there are still a few phases of the project still ahead, including the installation of the glass that will allow members to look out on the campus while exercising in the new addition.

Jayme Nekuda, associate director of human resources, was among a group of campus leaders who recently toured the areas of the center under construction.

She said she was excited by the progress.

“The center was last renovated 20 years ago,” she said. “There will be more space, so we will now be able to offer students and our members additional pieces of exercise and weight equipment as well as a wider variety of fitness classes.

“There will be dedicated spaces for table tennis, spinning bikes and stretching and the lockers rooms will be larger and offer more privacy,” she said.

“The new entrance has been changed to the north side of the Student Life building which will connect the center to the rest of the campus and make it much more easily accessible and visible.”

Nekuda thanked the center’s members and the students for their patience with the process.

“Our members and students have been very understanding and patient,” she said.

The redesigned center “will feature many updates in both quality and variety of fitness programs. Members will be pleased,” Ehlers said.