Contact: William Schafer
Dean of Students
915/747-5648 or
Christian Clarke Casarez
Public Information Officer, University Communications
915/747-5526

Students Celebrate Expansion of Swimming and Fitness Center
- Construction in New Era of Campus Living Continues -

UTEP students are getting pumped up about the expansion of the university's fitness center, which features more elbow room and exercise machines.

UTEP President Diana Natalicio and Student Government Association President Arturo Barrio will open the expansion at noon Friday, Nov. 10, at the Swimming and Fitness Center off Sun Bowl Drive behind Rudolph Chevrolet.

The 1,700 square-foot fitness room has been enlarged by 6,000 square feet and features:

• 12,000 pounds of a large assortment of free-weights,
• more than 50 exercise machines, and
• a cardio theater, which is a full line of exercise entertainment systems used by health clubs worldwide. These systems allow members to listen to individually selected audiovisual entertainment choices, while exercising on cardiovascular equipment such as treadmills, step machines and bikes.

During the opening, fitness experts will be available to consult with students about the new offerings.

Last year, the university announced plans for the expansion in order to accommodate the increased demand on the fitness room, which was operating at maximum capacity.

The original 40,00 square-foot Swimming and Fitness Center opened in August 1996 at a cost of $5 million, which was funded entirely by a recreation fee established and paid for by UTEP students. The expansion was funded by the university.

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