All Health Science Center students are invited to the grand opening of the new Student Fitness Center at 3 p.m. on Monday, March 5, at Bluffcreek Towers, 4201 Medical Drive, Suite 160. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments will be served. A demonstration of belly dancing will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Access to the 5,446-square-foot center is easy. The facility is located on the first floor of Bluffcreek Towers, Suite 160, and parking is available next to the front door. There is no charge for parking.
“Even though the Student Fitness Center is located off campus, it’s easy to get to it and there will be an attendant on duty to monitor access, answer questions and maintain a clean environment,” said Ben Rivers, assistant director for wellness and recreational programs. “Campus police will patrol the area and will always be on call. Students are encouraged to ask for an escort from the facility to their car during the later hours.”
The new Student Fitness Center will feature four treadmills, two stationary bikes, three elliptical trainers, one arc trainer and 12 other workout machines. Following are the hours of operation:
Monday through Thursday — 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sundays — noon to 8 p.m.
The Student Fitness Center will augment the 500-square-foot fitness room in the Dental School, which has been available to faculty, staff and students. The old fitness room will still be available.
“We hope students will take advantage of the new Student Fitness Center. We’ve tried to include as many of their suggestions as possible,” said Theresa Chiang, Ed.D., vice president for academic administration, who was instrumental in helping the new Student Fitness Center become a reality. “I’m grateful to Lisa McDougle, director of student life; Ben Rivers, assistant director for wellness and recreational programs; and Neil Mauskar, one of our medical students, for helping us move ahead with this project.”
McDougle added, “Even though everyone is busy, we hope students incorporate fitness into their schedules — for their own health and to be good examples for patients in the future.”
To get to the Student Fitness Center from the Health Science Center, go east on Medical Drive past Fredericksburg Road. The center will be on the left.
For more information, contact Rivers at 210-567-5220 or the Student Fitness Center at 210-567-7551.
