Rec Center Renovations Underway
11/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – Aside from the familiar echoes of balls bouncing and weights hitting the rack, the Richard and Sheila Regan Athletics Center is ringing with the sounds of progress as construction has begun on the new Fitness Center and Varsity Training Room.
Part of a comprehensive modernization of the building as a whole, the new fitness center will provide first-rate exercise opportunities. The two-tiered facility will offer expanded fitness and programming options while featuring an augmented space dedicated specifically for SHU students, faculty, staff and recreation center members.
Both the first and second floor will be lined with brand new cardio equipment such as treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bikes, each equipped with individual viewing screens.
The cardio stations will be oriented to allow the SHU community to take full advantage of the building’s revamped exterior. The distinguishing feature will be a rounded glass façade, providing an ample amount of natural light to illuminate the dual level workout area and allowing members to look out across Seton Drive onto Seton Hall’s historic South Orange campus.
The first floor will also include a variety of circuit weight training options. Also present will be a new reception and office area designed to facilitate member relations and supplement the assortment of offerings on the second floor.
In addition to the second cardio station, the aforementioned top floor will contain a space designed for free weight training. Filling out the space will be a pair of dance and fitness studio multi-purpose rooms, each slated to be in excess of 1,100 square feet.
When completed, the new training room will serve as a cutting-edge on-site medical facility exclusively for intercollegiate student-athletes. Construction plans call for an expansion of the old training center along with the addition of cutting-edge fitness and medical apparatuses. Such equipment includes three 14-foot in-ground Hydro Worx tubs that will supplement and greatly enhance rehabilitation efforts. Of these tubs, one is a "Polar Plunge" and one is a "Thermal Plunge," providing the full spectrum of care.
The third includes a state-of-the-art underwater treadmill. In addition to operating with variable water depths, the tub features a video system allowing for real-time monitoring of the student-athlete's progress on the treadmill both above and beneath the water line.
New treatment, areas tables and taping stations will also be installed in a room that will prominently feature Seton Hall specific branding. In an effort to make first-class care as accessible as possible, offices for the Pirates’ physicians are also in development.
"It is paramount that we provide our student-athletes as much assistance in the medical and athletic training fields as possible in order for them to compete on a level as high as the BIG EAST," said Director of Athletics Patrick Lyons when the renovation plans were announced.
The renovations underway are not limited to the new exercise space or training room. Also included will be upgrades to the general locker rooms, the field house floor and building infrastructure. As a part of the fitness center project, the fitness center floor will be completely resurfaced and a new roof will be installed.
The new Fitness Center and Varsity Training Room are examples of many facility projects on tap for Seton Hall Athletics with the aim of enhancing the student-athlete experience and cultivating a championship atmosphere. Other Initiatives on the horizon include the installation of a new LED scoreboard on Owen T. Carroll Field in early 2013 and Seton Hall Athletics will soon launch a dedicated campaign to construct new locker room facilities for all of Seton Hall’s Olympic sports as well as a committed space for the Seton Hall Athletic Hall of Fame. Also upcoming is a renovation and extension of the Academic Advising Center.
These new endeavors continue a trend of advancement within Seton Hall Athletics. Most recently, extensive renovations to the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms were completed in early 2012 due in large part to the altruistic support of our loyal Pirate Blue members.
More information on this exciting new campaign will be announced in January, 2013.
Be sure to check back on SHUPirates.com for periodic updates and new photos displaying the construction process.
