by Katy Knapp
Daily Lobo
A fitness center is moving into the SUB this fall.
The center will replace the Art Student Association's gallery in the Quiet Lounge on the bottom floor of the building.
Walt Miller, director of the SUB, said the 8,000-square-foot room will not be sufficient space for all students, but will allow students to use the facility when Johnson Center is unavailable because of exercise classes.
Erin Quinn, a coordinator at Recreational Services, said she is not concerned about the size of the room.
"It's a small space, but it's going to be a good size," she said.
Miller said the space is in the process of renovation for a fitness center and should be open by August.
He said hours might be extended to coincide with SUB hours in the future, which are 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to midnight.
"That's something we're working on," he said. "Some students want to work out in the late evenings."
On the weekends, the SUB is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to midnight and Sundays from noon to 11 p.m.
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Miller said for now the fitness center in the SUB won't be open on the weekends.
"We're OK on the weekends," he said. "People are more concerned about the hours on the weekdays."
Bringing the fitness center to the SUB was a result of Associated Students of UNM election results from two years ago, Miller said. He didn't know specifics of the election results off-hand but said it showed students wanted longer hours in the gym and didn't want to pay for it.
A sign on the door of the room reads, "Paid for by student fees!" The Student Fee Review Board allocated $100,000 for the center from student fees.
Student Misti Chavez said she goes to the SUB regularly but never went to the gallery. She said she didn't have an opinion about losing gallery space, but liked the idea of a fitness center.
"If anything, I would enjoy the fitness center," she said.
Jim Todd, associate director of Recreational Services, said a weight room attendant will be present in the fitness center at all times. He said they will make sure people who use the facility are students, faculty or staff and everyone will have to swipe their Lobo ID to get in.
"They'll also make sure the equipment is used properly," he said.
Todd said there will be five cardio machines, including treadmills.
"That's just speculation at this time because we're still waiting for purchasing bids to come in," he said.
There will be about 10 pieces of weight equipment, including free weights and machines, he said.
Quinn said there will only be a few cardio machines because so many are available at Johnson Center.
An average of 55,000 people enter the SUB every week and Miller said the fitness center has the potential to draw more people to the building.
"Getting a Sonic milkshake and working out could become a partnership," he said, laughing. "Or they wouldn't feel bad getting a larger one."
