The University of Maine needs to build another recreation center near York Dining. Living on the York side of campus means enduring a longer commute to get to the New Balance Recreation Center, located on the Hilltop side of campus, which can be particularly challenging during the winter months with freezing temperatures and heavy snow.
This can result in decreased motivation and possible injury for students who have to make the trip on foot to the gym. Walking in the snow is already a strenuous activity, to say the least.
There is also a huge risk of being injured from falling due to the walkways not being properly shoveled and salted at times. There would be zero motivation and a lot of hesitation when even thinking about trying to make the trip.
Constructing an additional gym will save students who live further away the time, energy and the possibility of an injury from going back and forth between their dorm and the center, especially during harsh weather.
Having another fitness center will also reduce overcrowding and equipment shortages during peak hours. It could also potentially be more manageable if there are two centers to split the number of people in attendance, thereby encouraging more students to attend.
The cost of the New Balance Recreation Center’s construction amounted to $25 million, which, in comparison to other university revamps, was less costly. Judging by this amount, establishing another fitness center that includes most of the same services and amenities would be a fairly reasonable ask and campus addition. Close proximity, easier accessibility and a lower probability of injury are the greatest motivators for students to make the effort to walk to the gym, especially during undesirable weather conditions.
UMaine needs to prioritize allocating funds to build another gym on the York side of campus for students who simply request easier accessibility to fitness facilities.
