F
ifteen years ago, Greensburg Salem was faced
with the challenge of meeting the changing
needs of our students. As a result a strong
partnership between school and local leaders was
forged. Through the vision and commitment of these
leaders, the Alumni Wellness & Fitness Center was
built. The fitness center promoted strong minds and
bodies -- a great recipe for helping to build a strong
school and community. Today, many of the same
people are rising to a new challenge that will impact
an even greater number of students through the
new “Friends of Fitness” initiative.
Health and wellness is an overriding need for all students. By
maximizing the facility’s space with new and modern equipment
we will provide a state-of-the-art learning opportunity for students,
whether they are participating in health and physical education,
athletics, or developing an understanding of relationship between
a healthy lifestyle and success. With the dangers of obesity, drug
and alcohol abuse, and poor self-esteem, an investment in our
students’ health and wellness is an investment in our community
and its future.
Part of this investment is the fitness center renovation. We have
been blessed with a facility that serves us well and is the hub of
activity for our afterschool athletic programs. The initial log building
was constructed in 1999 through the efforts of a dedicated group
— Alumni and Friends of the Community. Since then, the building
has undergone two additions — adding an aerobic room and a
wrestling room but during that time the equipment has aged and
become worn out with much of it being unusable due to safety
concerns.
Throughout the day, Physical Education classes use the center
as part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum. There are
seasons when you will find student athletes utilizing the center
prior to the start of the school day gaining extra conditioning time
as they prepare to compete in their respective sport. After school,
the fitness center hosts a plethora of students and teams training
to gain a competitive edge. Students, who are not involved in
athletics, use the facility to gain and maintain
strength or just to live an active, healthy
lifestyle.
It sounds pretty good…So what’s the
problem?
Simply stated — the equipment in the
fitness center needs to be replaced and
expanded. We do have a solution. There are
many terrific people in the community who
are able and willing to help us make the
changes needed to benefit our students.
Under the direction of our fund-raising
chairman, Jennings Womack, we are on
our way to make the fitness center an area
where students have the opportunity to excel
physically, mentally and socially.
Our Vision
The plan for the renovated fitness center begins with a new floor,
due for installation this spring. With the input of our coaching staff,
trainers and the faculty of the Physical Education department,
we developed an equipment proposal that will facilitate every
student’s needs. We will offer all students opportunities to engage
in activities that they enjoy with the goal of their wanting to use the
fitness center regularly.
New equipment and programs will enable us to assess physical
fitness levels and develop health-related fitness components.
Students will have access to a variety of cardiovascular equipment
capable of indicating target heart rate zones, calories burned,
time, and intensity levels. Sections of the center will be devoted
to development of flexibility, speed training, and spinning classes.
Students will be able to enhance muscular strength and endurance
and also execute sport-specific workout regimes.
Our plan includes a 12-foot screen to be used in conjunction
with a kiosk that allows users to select certain Pilates, Zumba, yoga
and aerobic dance pro