Brownlee Hall houses new fitness space

Over the summer, Seton Hill University (SHU) was faced with a decision concerning the vacant space behind Brownlee Hall that once held the kindergarten class. It is now known as the Brownlee Fitness Center.

By Chelsea Oliver

News Editor

Over the summer, Seton Hill University (SHU) was faced with a decision concerning the vacant space behind Brownlee Hall that once held the kindergarten class. It is now known as the Brownlee Fitness Center.

SHU staff members came up with different ideas to use the space wisely while students were away, but it was not until the Orientation Assistants returned to campus that the idea of a fitness center came to mind. “Some ideas were to make it a space for student leadership activities or a conference room for clubs to hold meetings, but the idea to make it a fitness center came from our students,” said Jaimie Steel, assistant dean of students.

“LECOM actually donated fitness equipment to [SHU] but we didn’t have enough space to put all of it in the McKenna Center, so making the Brownlee space into another fitness center was a warmly welcomed idea,” Steel continued.

Leading the operation of turning the once-empty space into SHU’s second workout center were: Charmaine Strong, dean of students; Robin Anke, associate dean of student services and director of residence life; Bill Vokes, manager of maintenance and grounds; Chuck O’Neill, purchasing coordinator and Steel.

Katie Fritsch, a junior said, “It is encouraging to see our campus growth providing students with alternative locations for wellness activities.”

Though the space is considered nice, students agree that its greatest feature is location on campus. “I like the space a lot more than McKenna because it’s less crowded and much more convenient to where I live on campus,” said Lindsay Nicholson, a junior.

“The convenience of having a fitness center on this side of campus is motivating,” said Fritsch.

While the Brownlee Fitness Center is currently available for use, it is not as well equipped as the McKenna Center. “It’s easier to go there if you’re just looking to do cardio because there are no weights or lifting machines down there like there are in McKenna,” said Nicholson.

“The space will be available for the rest of the year. If it catches on and we see that it is the best use of that space, then it will stay,” said Steel. “This solution gave us an opportunity to consider what would make the most sense for the student-body in the long run.”