School fitness center opens to public

COLDWATER - The new fitness center at Coldwater Exempted Village Schools was opened to the public this week, according to Superintendent Rich Seas.

"We want people to use it, but responsibly," Seas told board members this week during the regular meeting.

The new fitness center was completed in October as part of the recent renovation and construction project at the school. Included within the 36-by-46-foot room is a wide range of weight and cardiovascular machines, such as bikes and treadmills.

The center, located within the high school commons area, also has a dressing room, restrooms, stereo system, televisions and a Gatorade vending machine.

Community members are permitted to use the facility free 5-7 a.m. and 7-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 5-7 a.m. Fridays and 8-9 a.m. Saturdays. Public hours may be altered in the future depending on community demand.

Interested community members may enter the fitness center through the door located outside the high school commons area, which will be open during public hours. All residents must sign in upon entrance.

Seas said there will always be a volunteer supervisor on hand during public hours who is trained in CPR. He also pointed out that the supervisor will probably be able to help those who are unfamiliar with the workout equipment.

Seas stressed that physical education classes and athletic teams always will have top priority of facility usage.

He also asked that residents do not bring their children.

"This is not a baby-sitting service," he said during the regular meeting.

Most of the fitness equipment was purchased through a National Fitness Foundation grant in 2001.