SCHENECTADY – A concrete slab located just a few feet from the entrance to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail at SUNY Schenectady, it will be home to a public fitness facility by the end of summer.
The court is one of two in Schenectady County, and one of nine to be built in the metropolitan area, as part of MVP Healthcare’s ongoing effort with municipal partners and the National Fitness Campaign – a health care consulting firm – to achieve equal access to Areas where people can exercise.
SUNY Schenectady President Steady Mono said the school is honored to be one of the sites.
“Fitness is critical to the success of our students and the success of our employees,” he said Wednesday during a college news conference.
Mono said he expects the court to be ready for use by mid-May or mid-June.
SUNY Schenectady Fitness Ground Breaking Ground 4/20/22
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Submission to the final court. Submitted
Another Schenectady District Court will be located on Crane Street in Pocket Orchard Park in Schenectady.
Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said the new fitness course will better enable people to lead healthy lifestyles.
“If you do some of these little things — in the diet, a little bit more exercise — you reduce health care costs,” he said. “You are in better health, [and then] Society is healthier.”
The MVP provided $25,000 in funding for each court, which cost about $175,000. The National Fitness Campaign made another $25,000. Participating municipalities provide the rest of the funds.
Albany County will receive three locations; Near the Gozzo Center at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, near the Albany Rail Trail and in the South Ferry Street section of the South End Connectors, according to a news release. Troy would have four locations; At 112 Street Park, Prospect Park, Beman Park, and Knickerbocker Park.
“Today, we are making fitness free for everyone in our community,” said Elaine Sacks, MVP Vice President of Community Engagement.
Fitness pitches will be 38 feet by 38 feet, according to Michelle Golden, MVP’s director of public relations.
SUNY Schenectady is located in the floodplain.
“The fitness room is made with best-in-class materials for the outdoor infrastructure, including a double layer of powder-coated carbon steel, aluminum and stainless steel, galvanized bolts and fittings, and an all-weather rubber gym floor,” Golden said. “The gym is designed and manufactured in the USA to last for decades in any North American climate.”
The National Fitness Campaign designed and branded the outdoor facility, which will also include a public mural as well as a mobile app allowing users to participate in guided workouts and schedule group workouts.
“While the MVP brand will be included on all fitness venues, each court will have a slight level of design uniqueness depending on the partner and location of the site,” Golden said.
Steve Fragal, the dean of student affairs, said SUNY Schenectady does not have any athletic facilities on campus, so the court would be a great asset to the college. He said that in the future a fitness or wellness club could be set up at the college, which would use the fitness ground.
Reporter Shenandoah Briere can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at SB_DailyGazette.
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