Civic Center’s new addition pulling its weight: Weight room renovation popular with community

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

On break from school, college freshman Tiffany Nunley, right, and high school student Tyler Jones work out at the newly renovated Civic Center weight room, where officials have recently installed around $70,000 in equipment. (Amy Satterwhite photo)

The McMinnville Civic Center’s renovated weight room is open for business and it’s been a hit with the community so far.

Parks and Recreation Department officials said interest has doubled since it was re-opened with new equipment and a bigger space last week after a brief closure for renovations and installation.

The equipment is attracting more people overall, but new cardiovascular equipment also appeals to women and seniors, Recreation Coordinator Mandi Franklin said, which was one reason leading to the decision to purchase it. Among them, officials said, is a 79-year-old woman who is beginning to learn the machines.

“People have come here that either haven’t been here in years and heard about the new weight room or people who have never been here and heard about it are really interested in it,” Franklin said.

It also appealed to the younger set, including Tiffany Nunley, a college freshman who said she would be using cardiovascular equipment while on break from school. High school student Tyler Jones, 15, there with school friends Friday, said he believes the cardio equipment will help him better train for track meets.

“It’s a lot better,” he said while trying out a new recumbent bike and a step machine. “It’s newer and it’s better for us.”

Called the Wellness and Exercise Center, the weight room features a “cardio theater” complete with televisions to listen to while working out, four new treadmills, two elliptical trainers, a fitness stepper, two recumbent bikes, an upright bike, an Airdyne bike and a stretch trainer.

There are also 12 individual strength machines, new free weight benches and weights, a cable crossover and a Smith machine.

“Monday we had 106 people,” Parks and Recreation Director Carlene Brown said. “That’s more than we’ve ever had.”

The equipment totals around $70,000 and officials have made or are planning to make other improvements in the building, City Administrator Herb Llewellyn said, noting the response from seniors.

“When you have someone who’s 79 wanting to go work out, it makes me feel like we’re doing our jobs,” he said. “It’s a wonderful facility and I hope people take advantage of it.”

Daily admission has been tentatively set at $1 for residents and $2 for non-residents, while monthly admission is $15 and $20 respectively.