Starting today, the Hammond Fitness and Recreation Center will be exclusively available to PNW students, faculty and staff.

The FRC has discontinued memberships for alumni and members of the public. 

“The main focus is to prevent overcrowding in the fitness center ,”said Matthew Dudzik, assistant athletic director for Intramurals and Facilities. ”When the athletes are training, space becomes very limited with everyone in the room at the same time. … When overcrowded, it becomes a safety issue.” 

The addition of more sports – including flag football this year — has increased demand in the Hammond center. Athlete-only hours are also being implemented to alleviate overcrowding even more. 

To accommodate demand, the Hammond FRC will operate longer hours, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Strength and conditioning areas will be available only to athletes during designated weekday hours. During these athlete-only hours, general students only have access to the cardio equipment and a separate annex room with weights. Details about FRC hours are available at the center’s web page on pnw.edu.

Some students are skeptical the change will make the FRC more accessible to average students. 

“I think the only benefit would probably be for the athletes because they also changed the hours to where only athletes can use the gym, so they will have all the space for themselves while everyone else has to wait for their turn,” said Paula Jappelt, a senior Communication major and frequent gym-goer.

While restricting access to FRC was necessary to reduce overcrowding, Dudzik said the community and alumni members will be missed. 

“There are some members who have been with us for 25-plus years,” he said. “They are more like family than just members. …We will miss them all.”