Spring Break
Staff overcomes obstacles, opens new cardio room in Mackal Field House
Greg Gentile
Issue date: 10/22/08 Section: News
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The new room is filled with brand new equipment for cardio, core work, conditioning and stretching exercises. The space became available after the University of Rhode Island dropped gymnastics from the sports program because of budget cuts.
"The space is evolving," said Jodi Hawkins, assistant director of Athletic/Recreation Programs and Services. "It is a work in progress. We are getting a great reaction from the students and that is what I love. I have had kids tell me that they aren't going to go get a membership to another gym down the line anymore, and that the extra room makes such a big difference."
According to Hawkins, the new room has more than doubled the amount of students that can work out.
"It's nice to have the extra room without the cardio equipment in [the old weight room]," freshman Scott Randall said. "It is a lot more like my gym at home now, but this one is free."
But the new renovations did not come without problems. When Recreation Services began working on the room, it discovered there was no carpet underneath the old gymnastics springboards.
"There were two big things," Hawkins said. "We had to sell the gymnastics equipment, and the original carpet was 18 years old."
Because of the state's budget problems, it took some time to find the funds for the new carpet, Hawkins said. The new carpet was installed this summer.
Another obstacle occurred when "we took out the foam pits and left were two huge 10-foot holes in the floor," Hawkins said. These were later filled in with cement.
Hawkins said the room is now equipped with eight new fans and 25 pieces of new cardio equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent bikes and spin bikes.
With aerobics equipment and stretching mats on hand this new room is open for many different uses for clubs, organizations and instructional classes.
Some of the new group exercise classes that will be held in the new cardio room include Bosu, Rhody Rope and PIYO, a form of Pilates.
The room is the start of many renovations inside Mackal and around campus. There are plans in place to expand the weight room further.
Roger Williams Hall will also be getting a new look in the near future.
Michael Fascitelli of the class of '78 and his wife Beth donated $1 million to URI's Making A Difference campaign to help the university with building a student wellness center on campus.
"Right in the hub of college life" will be the new student fitness and wellness center, Hawkins said. It's estimated to open in 2010.
Next Monday at 4 p.m. is the grand opening celebration for the new cardio room. There will be refreshments, giveaways, demonstrations and group exercise classes.
