For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic closed its doors in 2020, Clark’s Thompson Fitness Center has reopened to the public.
Students, alumni, staff and their families can join the center for a small fee of $20 a term or $60 for an annual membership. Those currently enrolled in physical education classes have free access throughout the quarter.
Steve DaMassa, co-manager of the fitness center, noted that Clark’s COVID Response Management team approved the decision to reopen near the end of winter term, but staff chose to open during the second week of spring to allow time for preparation.
“Spring term we were hoping to see more people on campus and that seems to be the case,” DaMassa said. “We wanted to make sure that we could get the most engagement with students and faculty, staff and alumni as we could.”
Although staffing issues initially resulted in limited hours, the center is back to a more operational schedule, DaMassa said.
The center is also currently offering a free “Spring Back Into Fitness” incentive program. Participants receive a flower petal
for every 30 minutes of activity they track, with five petals completing a flower that counts as one ticket in a prize drawing. Some bonus activities include a hike every other weekend where participants can earn one ticket by taking a photo at the designated trail’s sign.
The circuit room is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed over the weekends. The center’s weight room holds similar hours, closing from 11 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays for classes.
