Sports
Blood Fitness Center hits five year mark
By Caitlin O'Connor '14, Sports Editor
September 15, 2011
At most colleges and universities the busiest place on a weekday afternoon is the library or the cafeteria. But around 4 p.m. at Hamilton, you’re most likely to catch the average student sweating off stress or that extra cup of ice cream at the gym.
This year marks the 5th anniversary of the conversion of the old Saunders Hall of Chemistry into the Charlean and Wayland Blood Fitness and Dance Center. Previously, the only place to work out on campus was a cramped room, less than 3,000 square feet in total, located in the Scott Field House. In addition to size problems, equipment was often out-of-service or out-dated due to a lack of supervision.
When the Science Center was being constructed, the administration recognized the need for an improved wellness facility on campus and determined the old chemistry building was the perfect place. In addition to being centrally located on campus, the large rooms that had formally been labs were very conducive for bulky exercise machines.
The new fitness center was made to combat all the problems of the old gym, encompassing over 10,000 square feet filled with up-to-date cardio machines, weight lifting space and a climbing wall that puts other college gyms to shame. Students are able to watch their favorite television show while they run a couple miles before class or gossip with friends while stretching on the mats.
Due to all the extra space, many more students, faculty and staff on the Hill are able to take advantage of the facilities. Around 300-400 members frequent the gym each weekday, with prime-time occurring from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. While it may be difficult to find an open treadmill during the pre-dinner rush, there is always at least one machine available for an eager student.
Athletes aren’t the only people using the fitness center either. “This facility has become the hub for all fitness-related activities on campus, including wellness classes, flu shots and blood drives,” says Dave Thompson, Director of the Charlean & Wayland Blood Fitness and Dance Center. With a dance center, offices and a multipurpose lounge, the facility serves the broad base of interests found at Hamilton.
As for the next five years, Thompson explained that the center was built to withstand the test of time, as well as the pounding of college sneakers. Machines are serviced and maintained on a regular schedule, while the rock wall’s specific configuration is modified every new academic year.
With hours running from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends, even a busy student has no excuse for not stopping by this beautiful facility on a regular basis. For those who are unaware of how to use the equipment, Thompson gives orientations, either individually or in small groups, on how the various machines in the gym operate.
And according to Thompson, “If you’ve never been to the fitness center, it’s one of the finest of its kind, anywhere.”