Improvements to new Cary St. Gym
Construction started on the new Cary Street Gym in the spring of 2008 and a number of enhancements are being added.
“The goal for the new Cary Street Gym was to expand and enhance it,” said Tom Diehl, the director of VCU Recreational Sports. “We want to attract a diverse group of people to the new gym.
Construction started on the new Cary Street Gym in the spring of 2008 and a number of enhancements are being added.
“The goal for the new Cary Street Gym was to expand and enhance it,” said Tom Diehl, the director of VCU Recreational Sports. “We want to attract a diverse group of people to the new gym.”
Gym-goers will have many options to choose from once the 18,000 square-foot facility is complete.
They can lift weights or work out on one of 200 pieces of cardio equipment.
“The cardio and weights section of the new gym would take up the entire recreational space in the Siegel Center,” Diehl said.
A person using one of the bikes or treadmills facing the wall will be able to watch one of several 32-inch televisions in front of them.
Other features will include spinning classes and personal training sessions. Some sessions will be free but more individualized sessions will carry a fee.
On the basketball court, people will be able to play volleyball, badminton and table tennis.
Above the basketball court will be a three-lane track with a rubberized surface. Runners will be able to look down and see the action taking place on the basketball court.
Racquetball courts will be located on the second floor of the facility.
Fans of soccer, lacrosse, dodgeball and hockey will be able to play these sports in the multi activity center. The MAC will feature an Astroturf surface, a penalty box and a scoreboard.
The gym will also have rock climbing, martial arts and yoga.
The aquatics center will have a whirlpool, a leisure pool and a zero-entry pool. The zero-entry pool offers non-swimmer the chance to get into the water without worrying about drowning.
“We want people who don’t swim to start swimming,” Diehl said. “We will try to offer swimming lessons.”
The aquatics center will also have an activity pool that will be 12-feet deep and have five lanes for lap swimming.
Diehl hopes these features will attract more people to the gym.
“Our goal is to have about 4,000 people coming through the gym daily,” Diehl said.
Students can look forward to the gym opening a little earlier than advertised.
“Officially, the gym opens in March but if everything stays on course, we will open when school reopens in January,” Diehl said.