Connections

Kristin Thiele
Public relations assistant

The FitLife Health Club is now officially open.

Special projects officer Neville Chester, wearing a black "Got Avondale?" T-shirt, swiped a card over a reader and opened the front door to the club as part of an informal ceremony this past Thursday (May 1). Neville had retired the day before after more than 46 years of service--the last four at Avondale--to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Neville's line manager, vice-president (finance) Francois Keet, thanked him for coordinating the building of the health club among other projects, including the re-roofing of Watson Hall and the building of the bookshop.

Dr Darren Morton, a senior lecturer in health and exercise science, and also wearing an Avondale T-shirt, presented the keynote speech. He detailed the history of exercise at Avondale, noting the opening of the original auditorium in 1954, the swimming pool--dug by hand by three men--in 1970 and the former weights room--built in the space where the squash courts were originally planned--in the Jim Hanson Fitness Centre in the 1980s. He also introduced the club's managers, former Avondale student Levi Martin and his brother, Luke.

FitLife members will have access to equipment for strength and cardio-related exercise, the swimming pool--heated to 28 degrees Celsius in winter--for aquatic-related exercise and the former weights room for aerobic-related exercise. The cardio-related equipment faces a wall with flat screen televisions.

Staff members and students attending the ceremony tested the equipment during a tour of the club. Dr Bruce Manners, the senior minister of Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church, described the club and its facilities as "wonderful." Occupational Health and Safety officer Graeme Taplin, walking on a treadmill at the time, added "modern" and "clean" and noted the club "suits the needs of the local area." "It looks bright and motivating," said men's residence assistant director Pastor Shane Roberts. "You just have to provide your own determination." Fourteen staff members signed up as members during the ceremony.

"The opening was awesome," said Luke. "We didn't expect so many people to show up. They were keen to sign up, too."

FitLife, located beneath the cafeteria on Avondale College's Lake Macquarie campus, is open Monday-Thursday, 6 am-9 pm, Friday, 6 am-5 pm and Sunday, 4-7 pm. Membership is free for facility-fee paying students this semester and $50 from second semester. Membership for staff members is $100 per semester. Contact Luke and Levi (4980 2308, fitlife@avondale.edu.au) for more information and for other membership packages.