Renovated Fitness Center Reopens
Students, faculty, and staff have been anxiously awaiting the renovation of the Benson Fitness Center in the MacDowell Athletic Center, and the dramatic impact it will have on their workout routines. Funded by a generous outpouring of support during the Fund-a-Need appeal at last spring’s Parents’ League auction—during which $162,050 was raised—the initial phase of the renovation took place over the course of the past week.
As soon as the doors were unlocked, students began to put the new equipment to use. Parents were encouraged to stop by during Parent Conferences, and during home games through the end of the fall season to see the fruits of their generosity.
The initial phase of the renovation replaced aging treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes with an inventory of new models, and replaced free weights, barbells, and benches with a single brand of equipment for better performance. Much of the existing equipment had been in use since the center first opened in 2003, and had its share of duct-tape repairs. Just a few pieces of new equipment and accessories are still awaiting delivery.
On the lower level, the layout of cardio training area was redesigned for more efficient training circuits. Upstairs, the flooring in weight training area was replaced with appropriate new materials—including striking new Rivers floor mats—and a grass strip was installed for slide training. In an effort to be more environmentally proactive, the water bubblers will be replaced with models that easily accommodate bottles.
The Fitness Center is open to all students, with Upper School strength and conditioning classes offered each trimester to fulfill the athletic requirement, and fitness programs offered as part of the Middle School’s athletic program in grade 7. In addition, the Fitness Center is also open before and after school for individual use with coaches offering additional sessions to meet student interest. Depending on the season, anywhere from 50-90 students come through the center three or four times a week.
During the Fund-a-Need appeal at the auction, Head Athletic Trainer Myron Mentis spoke of the updating of the fitness center as being vital to both preventing and rehabbing sports injuries in our student-athletes. In addition, Strength and Conditioning Coach Paul Sanclemente said the renovation of the heavily used center was essential “to ensure that Rivers students are able to reach their fitness and sports performance goals in an inviting and efficient environment.”
Judging from the number of students stopping by the Fitness Center this week, the new equipment is bound to get quite a workout in the coming weeks and months. Many thanks again to the Rivers parents who made the renovation a reality.
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