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The Daily OrangeSU to open Marshall Square Mall gym in August
By Matt Gelb
Posted: 4/29/07, 11:48 PM EST Section: News
Syracuse University will announce plans today for the construction of a new recreation facility on Marshall Street.
A 3,700 square foot fitness center will be built this summer in the Marshall Square Mall and open for students, faculty and staff when the fall semester begins this August, said Matthew Snyder, a spokesperson for the university.
The M-Street plan will coincide with construction in August 2009, when the university will begin work on a residence hall at 619 Comstock Ave., on the DellPlain Residence Hall lawn. A 10,600 square foot recreation facility will be constructed on the second floor. These additions will expand SU's indoor fitness space 10 percent by August 2009.
"I think it's a really good day, not only for Recreation Services, but for the students at Syracuse University," said Mitch Gartenberg, director of SU Recreation Services. "We've worked hard to expand opportunities where we can for students."
In addition, Recreation Services is expanding the hours of the Marion Residence Hall fitness center. Starting next semester, that facility will be open an extra 12 hours a week, meaning it will be available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Currently, it closes between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on those days.
But the most surprising news is the creation of the facility in Marshall Square Mall. Gartenberg and his staff have previously spoken of potential short-term exercise remedies for the overcrowding in current recreation facilities, but never revealed plans until now.
The university will begin construction on the Marshall Square Mall facility in early June in order to have it ready before classes start in the fall. Students will only need a valid SU ID to utilize the facility, following the same entrance procedures at Archbold Gymnasium.
Snyder said surveys conducted by the university showed that students identified the current indoor recreation options as lacking.
"The spaces were either too old or too crowded," Snyder said of students' complaints. "This is something that was very well heard."
A 3,700 square foot fitness center will be built this summer in the Marshall Square Mall and open for students, faculty and staff when the fall semester begins this August, said Matthew Snyder, a spokesperson for the university.
The M-Street plan will coincide with construction in August 2009, when the university will begin work on a residence hall at 619 Comstock Ave., on the DellPlain Residence Hall lawn. A 10,600 square foot recreation facility will be constructed on the second floor. These additions will expand SU's indoor fitness space 10 percent by August 2009.
"I think it's a really good day, not only for Recreation Services, but for the students at Syracuse University," said Mitch Gartenberg, director of SU Recreation Services. "We've worked hard to expand opportunities where we can for students."
In addition, Recreation Services is expanding the hours of the Marion Residence Hall fitness center. Starting next semester, that facility will be open an extra 12 hours a week, meaning it will be available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Currently, it closes between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on those days.
But the most surprising news is the creation of the facility in Marshall Square Mall. Gartenberg and his staff have previously spoken of potential short-term exercise remedies for the overcrowding in current recreation facilities, but never revealed plans until now.
The university will begin construction on the Marshall Square Mall facility in early June in order to have it ready before classes start in the fall. Students will only need a valid SU ID to utilize the facility, following the same entrance procedures at Archbold Gymnasium.
Snyder said surveys conducted by the university showed that students identified the current indoor recreation options as lacking.
"The spaces were either too old or too crowded," Snyder said of students' complaints. "This is something that was very well heard."
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