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Bigger, better gym opens
24 March 2008
Linden Chuang
Public relations assistant
Avondale College's new gym is a better facility and will bring more benefits to students, say those who have helped set it up.
The idea for the gym came when Simply Fit in Morisset closed. "We saw the closure as a golden opportunity to revitalise our facilities," says health and exercise science lecturer Dr Darren Morton. "So, we latched onto it."
Director of advancement Lorin Bradford was also excited. "As soon as Darren and [sport and recreation officer] Harry [Neale] told me about the idea, I jumped at the opportunity. It's a great marketing tool for potential students, and it's a great way to break down barriers with the community."
The gym, opened unofficially this past Tuesday (March 18), is located beneath the cafeteria on Avondale's Lake Macquarie campus. Members will have access to the gym (for strength and cardio-related exercise), the swimming pool (for aquatic-related exercise) and the gym (for aerobic-related exercise) in the Jim Hanson Fitness Centre.
While Avondale owns all these facilities, it will outsource the operation of the gym. "This means Avondale will lease the premises to a business entity," says Harry. "There are benefits of getting another business to run the gym and, therefore, operate it as a business."
Some of these benefits include personalised fitness programs and longer operating hours (6 am-9pm, Monday-Thursday; 6 am-5 pm, Friday). Former Avondale student Levi Martin and his brother, Luke, serve currently as acting managers.
Outsourcing the operation of the gym means the facilities will be open to members of the community. However, the gym is still student focussed. "The primary interest [of the gym] is for students and for the academic program," says Darren. "We will make sure certain needs of students will be met."
Students are encouraged to join the gym. "Everyone, regardless of age or gender, can achieve benefits from weight-type training," said Darren. "If you did some sort of weight training twice a week, you would notice the difference."
Facility-fee paying students can still register for free membership this semester. Students wanting to use the gym in future will pay $50 on top of their facility fees.
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