By Aaquib Abdullah
The York College Athletics Department has unveiled plans for renovating the Health & Physical Education building, overhauling the Fitness Center and the Multi-Purpose Room to expand the facilities and bring the equipment up-to-date.
The proposed construction plans will first renovate the space, and create a new Multi-Purpose Room that is twice as big as the previous one, which will provide ample space for clubs like the Red Shoes Dance Club or the York College Self-Defense Club to host practices and events within the Health and Physical Education building.
Likewise, the Fitness Center will also be expanded to host more exercise equipment, and the current equipment– Some of which is over a decade old at this point– will be replaced with more modern equipment that will allow for greater flexibility.
There are plans to bring in new cable machines that will both save on space, and also allow the user to swap exercises without having to swap machines.
“These renovations have been on my mind for years,” says John Baxter, the Facilities Coordinator for the Athletics Department. “Our goal is to enhance the student experience.”
Students have been asking for a renovation for years. Randy Forejour, a junior who frequents the fitness center, laments the equipment variety.
“It’s not bad as it is, but it could be better,” Forejour comments. “We could really use more machines like cable flies and stuff, and some of the machines are really old.”
Vanessa Ramirez, a freshman who is on the women’s volleyball and basketball teams, agrees that the equipment needs a revamp. “I don’t even know how old the equipment is. A renovation is a really good idea.
Students also complain about the times that the fitness center is open. Currently, it is only open from noon to 2 p.m., then from 4 to 6 p.m., which ends up coinciding with a lot of students’ classes or other events.
“It’s never open when I’m free.” Says Janita Clemons, a freshman on the women’s softball, volleyball, and basketball teams. “It would be nice if it was open longer.”
This will be the Fitness Center and Multi-Purpose Room’s first big renovation in over a decade, and it hopes to resolve issues regarding space and alleviate student concerns.
Additionally, the renovations will create a new naming opportunity for the Health & Physical Education Building, and draw in more students and alumni to the Athletics Department.
The renovations are still in their early stages, and will be completed by August 2025 to be ready for the next Fall semester.
