By Mike Morris
The closure of the Loyalist College Fitness Centre for repairs and additions during the holidays is good news, said fitness staff and students.
Cory Mestre, co-ordinator of the Fitness Centre, told QNet News the closure for the holidays is only inconvenient for some people.
“Truthfully it’s the least intrusive time,” said Mestre. “While it’s still going to cause an inconvenience for some of our members, we acknowledge that. It’s going to impact the smallest number of our members.
“We would usually be closing down around the 16th or 17th anyway, for the holiday closure of the college after classes and exams are done. And also, with people being gone on placements, and heading home after exams, it just seemed to be the best choice to cause the least problems.”
Mestre said there were other fitness facilities in Belleville, such as the YMCA and Good Life Fitness.
He said he was excited because the renovations will offer more to members and students to train for their sports or fitness goals.
The centre’s closure for the season received a positive reaction from students and members alike. Some, like Loyalist College student Brendon Mouncey, were not bothered at all.
“It wouldn’t affect me much,” said Mouncey. “I’m going home for the holidays.”
Mouncey said he is also aware of Belleville’s Good Life and YMCA being alternatives, so he did not mind the centre’s temporary closure.
“That’s probably the best time to do it,” said Jake Magistrale, front desk controller, for the centre. “There’s going to be fewer people here. Everybody goes home for the holidays for the most part.”
Ethan Blankenhoren is a second year automotive student. Blankenhoren also feels it’s good to make renovations during the holidays, because fewer people will be affected.
“I agree with Jake,” Blankenhoren said. “It’s the best time of the year to do it, because even though there are going to be kids still on campus, the majority of the students are going to be enjoying the break, drinking, partying, whatever they want to do, and you know it has to be done some time, unfortunately, so they might as well do it when the least amount of students are going to be here. That’s a less amount of people that are going to be affected by it being closed.”
Other students at Loyalist who shared a positive opinion of the temporary closure included Gavin Ondaatje of police foundations, and Katrina Neal of early childhood education.
“I guess it’s more beneficial for the students in the long run.” Ondaatje said. “You can always do workouts at home, or, you know, you can just wait the few days. You know, go for a run, do all that kind of stuff. There’s always opportunities to work out anywhere, right?”
“That’s fine,” Neal said. “I don’t use it anymore. There’s a lot of gyms in Belleville with free, or day, passes.”