Spring Break
Staff Editorial: Rec's renovations provemoney was well-spent
Issue date: 6/18/09 Section: Opinions
At first glance, spending money generated from student fees for a new floor, furniture that's easier to clean and a new color scheme may sound a bit foolish. While the old furniture and brown-tiled floor may have been dull and unattractive, it was still functional.
However, after getting a view of the overhauled Student Recreational Center, it is plain to see the money spent on renovating the facility was a wise investment.
The focus of the refurbishment was mostly to increase a sense of school pride by displaying Eastern's logo and colors, blue and gray. The designers accomplished this goal by incorporating the colors into the new, modernized look. The facility now feels more like a workout space for a collegiate or a professional sports team, rather than a generic fitness club that could be found in any affluent suburb.
The renovations were not just about appearances, however. The planners of the project should be applauded for addressing the issues of student's health and safety.
Fitness centers are not usually considered to be the cleanest of places, with machines and equipment being used daily by a multitude of sweaty individuals. To combat the spread of germs and bacteria, the project added hand sanitizers throughout the facility. In addition, the new furniture is made of a material that easily wipes clean, making it easier to maintain a healthy facility.
Concerning student safety, new lockers were installed that will replace the old cubbyholes that many students did not feel comfortable leaving their belongings in.
Additional upgrades included a few new bikes and benches, replacing some of the older equipment that was beginning to show its age. The inclusion of the new equipment goes well with the other refurbishments; old, worn out equipment, if left in the room, would have contrasted negatively with the new tile floor and furniture.
The new look of the rec center allows the Eastern community to take pride in the facility. Visitors - mainly potential new students - will instantly be amazed by the facility, which could become a huge selling point to attract new students.
What makes the renovation at the rec center a success is that the aspects of the project were designed with the students in mind. Eastern students will directly benefit from all of the improvements made.
What many may not realize is the Student Recreational Center here at Eastern is a unique amenity that some at other schools do not have. The building offers weight rooms, a running track, basketball and racquetball courts, bikes with televisions attached to them, a climbing wall, a pool, and a place to relax and watch Sportscenter.
While many other schools do offer similar facilities, one thing is different here at Eastern - any student can use the facilities, for free, provided they show a valid panther card. No memberships. No additional fees.
The university has made it obvious it is committed to providing top-notch facilities for its students. With the new renovation, the rec center is one of those facilities that are now even better than before.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
However, after getting a view of the overhauled Student Recreational Center, it is plain to see the money spent on renovating the facility was a wise investment.
The focus of the refurbishment was mostly to increase a sense of school pride by displaying Eastern's logo and colors, blue and gray. The designers accomplished this goal by incorporating the colors into the new, modernized look. The facility now feels more like a workout space for a collegiate or a professional sports team, rather than a generic fitness club that could be found in any affluent suburb.
The renovations were not just about appearances, however. The planners of the project should be applauded for addressing the issues of student's health and safety.
Fitness centers are not usually considered to be the cleanest of places, with machines and equipment being used daily by a multitude of sweaty individuals. To combat the spread of germs and bacteria, the project added hand sanitizers throughout the facility. In addition, the new furniture is made of a material that easily wipes clean, making it easier to maintain a healthy facility.
Concerning student safety, new lockers were installed that will replace the old cubbyholes that many students did not feel comfortable leaving their belongings in.
Additional upgrades included a few new bikes and benches, replacing some of the older equipment that was beginning to show its age. The inclusion of the new equipment goes well with the other refurbishments; old, worn out equipment, if left in the room, would have contrasted negatively with the new tile floor and furniture.
The new look of the rec center allows the Eastern community to take pride in the facility. Visitors - mainly potential new students - will instantly be amazed by the facility, which could become a huge selling point to attract new students.
What makes the renovation at the rec center a success is that the aspects of the project were designed with the students in mind. Eastern students will directly benefit from all of the improvements made.
What many may not realize is the Student Recreational Center here at Eastern is a unique amenity that some at other schools do not have. The building offers weight rooms, a running track, basketball and racquetball courts, bikes with televisions attached to them, a climbing wall, a pool, and a place to relax and watch Sportscenter.
While many other schools do offer similar facilities, one thing is different here at Eastern - any student can use the facilities, for free, provided they show a valid panther card. No memberships. No additional fees.
The university has made it obvious it is committed to providing top-notch facilities for its students. With the new renovation, the rec center is one of those facilities that are now even better than before.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
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