With the Athletic Complex shutdown due to the vice presidential debate from Sept. 24 to Oct. 5, students like freshman Michael Friend have been forced to exercise elsewhere.
“They have to do what they have to do,” Friend, who is going to the Center of Clayton, said. “It’s not a big deal. It’s a very nice place. It was worth the four dollars.”
Friend, a member of the water polo team, plans to practice there later this week.
In the week prior to the debate, students were able to work out at the South 40 Fitness Center, Bally Total Fitness, the Center of Clayton and South Campus. Clayton required a surcharge for all students and the South 40 also charged a $5 fee for students who did not have a McWilliams Fitness Center Pass.
Trevor MacDonald, director of marketing and promotions in the Athletics Department, coordinated the use of these alternative locations, since they had offered their services during the 2004 presidential debate.
“It’s tough to lose the place [students] work out at,” MacDonald said. “It’s great that [the other gyms] are accommodating students.”
Although the alternate venues are being utilized, the number of students at each has varied.
“We haven’t had a great influx,” Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Operations Toni Siering, who runs the Center of Clayton, said. “We like to help out the community and let them know we’re here.”
According to Siering, only eight Wash. U. community members had utilized their gyms, pools and climbing wall by the afternoon of Sept. 29.
Other students, like freshman Chris Fuertges, have chosen the convenience of the South 40 Fitness Center. “It’s not really a problem for me,” Fuertges said. “It’s only for a little while. This is free. This seems convenient.”
“Attendance of these three days [Sept. 25 through 27] has been higher than it was on those days last week by 60 percent, 20 percent and nine percent, respectively. I’d say out of that, only the Thursday increase is significant,” senior Orr Ganel, a supervisor at the South 40 Fitness Center, said. “Our attendance can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the time of year, tests, study habits, weather, etc.”
A large number of students have taken advantage of free access to Bally Total Fitness, which is located next to the Forsyth MetroLink station.
“At least 150 students have visited over the past few days,” Bally Total Fitness Manager D.J. Session said. “A lot of them are saying they like it better. Hopefully, they can get a good experience.”
“[Students are] treated like current members,” Fitness and Nutrition Instructor Octavia Jones of Bally Total Fitness said. “Lots of kids use weights. They can also use group exercise classes, the pool and the sauna. They keep coming back.”
A few students have even signed up for full memberships, Jones said.
In interviews with students, a large number of their friends had decided to take a break from working out, or exercise outside of a gym.
“Bally is too much trouble to get to. I prefer running outside to using a treadmill anyway,” freshman Samantha Alford said. “The inconveniences are worth the publicity.”
The special gym offers are valid through Oct. 5. The Athletic Complex will reopen at 6:45 a.m. on October 6.
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