Wednesday, August 24, 2005
This summer, the closing of one student fitness center resulted in the upgrading of another. At the Student Recreation Fitness Center, students can now work out on treadmills, stationary bicycles and elliptical machines equipped with TVs.
When the Burge Union Fitness Center closed last semester, Recreation Services traded in 21 pieces of old equipment in exchange for the advanced machines. Mary Chappell, director of Recreation Services, said the goal of adding the televisions was to give students an individualized workout.
“We already had televisions in place, but it seemed that we could never have them on the right channels or the right stations,” Chappell said.
Rachelle Saathoff, Lawrence sophomore, finds the new technology unnecessary and prefers not to watch TV while exercising.
Taylor Miller / KANSAN
Christina Staab, Kansas City junior, watches one of the television sets while using the eliptical machine at the Rec Center yesterday. Staab said that although she enjoys the new additions, she still prefers to listen to her IPod while exercising.
“I’d rather just listen to music. For me it’s too hard to concentrate on TV when you’re working out,” Saathoff said.
Other summer improvements included rescreening the basketball court and fixing the roof leaks that had plagued the recreation center for almost two years.
Plans are also under way to expand the recreation center in the spring. Expansion plans include adding four more basketball courts north of the existing courts, and expanding the track to the size of all eight courts. Free weight and racquetball space will also increase. The University of Kansas is working with the Ken Ebert Design Group, the Manhattan-based architectural firm that designed the original recreation center. Chappell said they plan to begin construction in early spring.
Pat Tefft, Omaha, Neb., sophomore and student employee of the recreation center, said he approved of the upcoming changes. He frequents the recreation center to work out and play intramural basketball.
“It gets really busy around 4 o’clock in the evenings, so all the extra room is definitely needed,” Tefft said.
The estimated cost for these additions is $6.3 million, which will not come from student fees. To fund improvements, the KU Athletics Department converted unused upper-level student seating into general public sales seating in Allen Fieldhouse, which will generate more money, said Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director.
The recreation center will expand its hours beginning Oct. 17 to accommodate more students. Its new hours will be Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Friday from 6 a.m. until midnight. Saturday hours will be 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday hours will be 9 a.m. to midnight.
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