The Voice

Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Joshua Charles The WCC Health and Fitness Center is nearly ready for its opening date in September.

Media Credit: Joshua Charles The view of WCC's main campus from the Fitness Center track.

Media Credit: Joshua Charles Construction of the heated swimming pool.

Media Credit: Joshua Charles One of the basketball hoops in the full-court gym.

It seems like only yesterday that the ground was broken for the new Health and Fitness Center, but opening day for the multi-million dollar facility is just around the corner.

Executive Director of the Fitness Center at WCC, Greg Hanby stated that the builders are currently on schedule and that the fitness center should be open to the public on September 1, 2007.

There are several benefits for students enrolled at WCC. There is a fixed rate of $160 a semester, which works out to about $40 a month for a four-month semester.

"I can tell you that there was quite an efficient study and planning by the board when planning the facilities rates," Hanby said. "The rates for this facility are competitive to other similar health centers."

There is only a three-credit minimum for students to qualify for the student rate.

The $160 bill will be separate from that of a student's tuition bill. Generally grants, scholarships, or financial aid cannot be used to pay for the fitness membership. There are some circumstances in which state financial aid can be used, but only in the event of a refund.

Students who enroll in the winter semester will have to pay the normal fixed rate while taking a minimum of three credit hours. Students won't have to take a class in the spring/summer semester, but when the semester begins students will have to pay the $160 membership charge.

"A student who is in good health will have a good education experience," said Hanby. "A healthy body equals a healthy mind."

The first floor of the 75,000 square foot facility has an abundance of things to do, whether it's strength training, swimming, a cardio workout, or a quick pick-up game of basketball.

Included in the strength training equipment will be a large number of free weights as well as machine equipment.

"I don't anticipate waiting to be a problem," Hanby said

Cardio equipment will have step climbers, treadmills, and nautilus machines. Above the cardio area will be four plasma televisions and members are encouraged to bring in an AM/FM radio or radio receiver to tune in to one of the set TV stations.

The pool area is fully equipped with deluxe locker rooms with whirlpool, steam room, and sauna. Each of the men's and women's locker rooms will come full equipped with both all of those luxuries as well as shower rooms that come with soap, shampoo, and cream rinse.

There is no need to bring a towel, as that will be provided for students and gym attendees as well.

When finally entering the pool area, members will have a choice. There is a heated pool that will be used primarily for underwater aerobics classes, but there is also a five-lane pool. That pool is 25 yards long by 10 yards wide.

An added bonus for the facility is that they will be providing daycare. This, however does come with and extra charge.

Daycare isn't the only feature that comes with an extra charge; other additional charges include massage therapy, personal training, and ancillary classes.

It is expected that there will be 10 to 15 trainers and/or nutritionists on staff.

Each of the trainers will have a bachelor's degree in a field directly related to their specialty.

Although there will be pay to participate portions of the center such as daycare, there will be some that are totally free of charge to members.

Yoga, Pilates, spin classes, and general aerobics are some of the classes that will be free, with the possibility of others added at a later date. Members of the facility will be able to attend these classes at their designated times for no charge.

There are four aerobics rooms on the second floor of the building, each of which will be dedicated to one of the four free aerobics classes.

The second floor also has a cushioned track that is one-eighth of a mile long and other strength and cardio training machines to account for overflow from their designated areas on the first floor.

Also included in the state of the art fitness center are classrooms, a healthy café, an apparel shop, and a member's service desk.

There have been discussions regarding club sports and how they will be affected by the addition of the much anticipated fitness center. Details are yet to be finalized, but athletic director Mike Glass has high hopes for an expansion into intramural sports.

"I think it would be a great thing to get more people involved in intramural sports," Glass stated. "For people who can't play on upper level squads it would be good to get everyone involved who wants to participate."

Along with the involvement of club sports, there are also many rates that are still currently in limbo and awaiting the approval from the board of trustees, such as rates for non-students, daycare, and additional classes.

Executive Director Hanby is confident that the new fitness center will fulfill all a persons wants and needs.

"This is a complete health and fitness center included in class offerings," Hanby said. " We have a high focus on high customer service. We want to give our customers complete satisfaction, that includes a great health and fitness experience."

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