If you build it, they will come
It’s a packed house in the Lake Holcombe School weight room – literally.
“It’s kind of a small weight room we got right now,” said senior Brock Flater.
Currently, the school weight room is located across from the main office on the north side of the building, but an updated facility would be created on the south side of the school. With a waiting list for kids to use the room, athletic director Todd Senoraske knew something had to be done.
“To have a nice facility on-site, would be huge,” said Senoraske. “I feel like our kids deserve that.”
Senoraske then approached the school’s administration and the reaction was positive. If you build it, they will come. Approval to move forward with weight room/training facility updates was then granted from the Board of Education.
Updates for the project would take six phases of implementation: developing oversight and scope of work; creating avenues for communication with stakeholders; looking into funding; preparing the room for enhancements; coordinating layout and constructing the area; and ensuring a program is in place that promotes and ensures accountability.
“It goes beyond just a nice facility,” said Senoraske. “It goes along with relationships and quality weight lifting programs, or training programs.”
Senoraske says while weight lifting helps athletes with their sport, a weight room also helps build confidence and increase social engagement for students, and adults. Studies have shown that weight lifting enhances well-being, gives confidence and self-control, competency and self-efficacy, improved self-esteem and provides positive social interactions.
“I know when I’m at the gym, my wife always says, ‘Gosh, it just takes you so long,’” said Senoraske. “I’m like, well, half of it’s socializing with other people, than actually working out.”
Flater agreed that being in the weight room is fun and that he would like to see people involved if they want to be, with ideas for “buddy competitions.”
“Basically, just want to get everyone invloved,” said Flater. “We want everyone to try it at first.”
When talking with one of the students who began weight lifting for the first time, Senoraske says the student really enjoys how lifting makes her feel. Weight room results are posted outside the office, with encouraging statistics.
“From the beginning of the school year to now, the growth has been overwhelming,” said Senoraske. “It’s been really neat to see them.”
Senoraske says physical activity improves classroom behaviors and benefits several aspects of academic achievement. It’s also a good way to promote community health and well-being, and community/school connection.
Acting as an accountability piece that ties into classroom behavior and academics, “brag boards” can be established to highlight when students hit certain milestones in the weight room. Senoraske also wants to figure out hours for community members to come in and utilize the facility.
Much of the existing equipment can be saved, with a few new additions. The new weight room will also be lined with rubber flooring, to help with cleaning and safety.
Plans are big for updates, but the current room wouldn’t fall to disuse, as Senoraske wants to see it turned into a training room, which would help athletes who are injured with their rehabilitation.
Of course, all this comes at a cost.
Estimates have been received from Johnson Fitness & Wellness, for $20,850, which includes the flooring; from Summit Commercial Fitness, for $20,215; and Rogers Athletic Company/Pendulum, for $25,655.
So far, Senoraske has $10,000 from Fund 10 for the project, as well as a $3,000 grant from the Lake Holcombe Education Foundation. Donations will also be sought from other sources/school supporters.
With the updates and increased space, Senoraske wants to have more than just a weight lifting space and hopes for an Athletic Hall of Fame to get established.
“It would be nice to honor those who have passed through here, and given so much to this community and school,” he said.
For now, the weight room spaces are a work in progress, but Senoraske says he and the lifting students are excited to look ahead at the future updates.
“We definitely want this place to be very welcoming,” said Senoraske. “It’s the heartbeat of the community and we just want to raise the pulse a little bit, with a nice facility.”
[caption id="attachment_110587" align="alignnone" width="300"]
The current weight room at Lake Holcombe School is short on space, as students discover when they work on lifting or other strengthening activities. Therefore, plans are in the works to move the room across the building, for a new, larger facility. Working through a computer model, the rendition shows how the expanded room will look.[/caption]
