Recreation Center On Campus Begins to Open

By Oliver Collins
Sports Reporter

With the Saint Mary’s recreation center finally opening to student athletes we take a closer look at the major benefits of this key College facility. The center and particularly the weight room have been under construction all summer and have finally been finished much to the delight of athletes in all sports. But athletes aren’t the only students being possibly affected by new improvements to these facilities, rumors have been swirling that the machines in the main area are soon going to be open to all residents. This could not only boost morale across the campus but also provide a new escape for students to get away from their workload and enjoy some physical activity.

Athletes have not been able to use facilities on campus and it shows, many athletes are forced to find other ways to train and stay in shape for the upcoming season. The men’s soccer team has been doing non-weight workouts in their rooms which isn’t exactly up to par in terms of the conditioning they should be doing in preparation. The weight room and pool opening is a huge step for them and other sports athletes to start the process of their competitive season. Not only is the weight room reopening, it’s reopening with brand new weights and even indoor turf. Very exciting for not only the first year athletes but even the returning student athletes.

The possibility of the gym reopening gives new hope to people around campus; we haven’t really had any big new updates in the decrease in COVID-19 outbreaks. However, if the recreation center fully reopens to those on campus people will definitely feel the morale around campus rise. This comes at the same time Oliver Hall will be open to eat in for the first time this semester, as well as other exciting new beginnings across campus. Students don’t really have anything new to cheer about since the opening of campus to students.

Many use working out or conditioning as a break from work and reality, if the recreation center opens it will be a big step for non athletes that want to stay in shape. Just yesterday I took a look around the recreation center’s facilities and was overjoyed to see all the machines being used. After going almost 3 months without working out in a fitness facility it was a masked breath of fresh air to get the blood flowing and that satisfying sore sensation after the session ended. 

Not only are the machines open to residents but also the basketball court. It goes without saying that every gym goer stays six feet apart, even in the basketball court, and masks on at all times. If you fail to follow these guidelines staff will have no choice to remove you from the center until you comply. But don’t let this distract you from enjoying your gym experience and getting back in shape.

As we enter our third month of COVID-19 on campus living brand new advancements are being made to on campus facilities. The most recent, the recreation center is a great place to relieve stress and get your body moving. The basketball gym, machines, and even the pool are all just opening, make sure to go when you have free time. It has to be a great feeling for students to finally have the freedom to do weighted exercises as we have all been pretty cooped up throughout the semester. And it's all thanks to the staff and students who have made this reopening possible.