Fund raising for fitness center begins

By Teresa Stowell of the Daily Times staff
Friday, July 22, 2005 1:12 PM CDT

The sight of students in a Watertown High School summer school fitness class working in hallways rather than the weight room is becoming routine because of space limitations, an issue that could be vastly improved through a community effort.

Two local civic organizations are working to change that by raising enough funds for a new fitness center at the high school.

The Watertown Booster Club and the Watertown Optimist Club have partnered together to work on fund raising for a proposed 5,456-square-foot fitness center addition on the south side of the physical education and gym wing of the high school. Their goal is to raise $450,000 for the construction of the center and to purchase some new equipment.

"Other schools in the Little 10 conference have weight rooms and fitness centers that triple the size of Watertown's," Jon Moldenhauer, chairman of the project and member of both the Watertown Optimist Club and Booster Club, said. "A school this size needs a facility that can accommodate everyone. This isn't only a facility that will benefit the athletic teams at Watertown, but it will help install a knowledge of fitness for all students."

The proposed center will have two levels with four physical education stations, two offices, sport flooring/mezzanine and interior access to existing locker rooms. The entire center will be air-conditioned. The Boosters and Optimists are also hoping to raise enough money to purchase new equipment for cardiovascular and plyometric training.

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The exterior of the multilevel addition is planned to match the existing design of the high school with similar brick and architectural design. Moldenhauer said another appealing aspect to the proposed facility is the number of windows and natural lighting it will have. The present weight room has no windows or circulation/ventilation system, Moldenhauer said.

The current facility is 30 by 40 feet and is utilized by about 500 physical education students each semester and a large number of athletes. During the fall season 25 percent of the student population participates in athletics.

"The softball team tries to lift weights all year round but sometimes it's just impossible to get in there," Patti Jensen, head softball coach, said. "Most kids make the best of the opportunities that they have by lifting at home or going to the Health and Wellness Center. This new facility would give them a place to work as a team."

Dennis Mudler, director of business services for the school district, said the weight room at the school was originally designed to be larger but plans changed as the school's final designs were made.

"Space was taken away from different areas throughout the school to store the heating and air-conditioning units," Mudler said. "The heating and air-conditioning units for the gym were put in a portion of space that was meant for the weight room."

In a few weeks as school begins about 100 football players, 60 soccer players, 40 volleyball players and other out-of-season players will all be using the weight room. With the amount of athletic teams vying for time in the weight room it becomes almost a traffic jam and has some seeking other places for their training.

The Watertown Blue Revue high school team began lifting about three years ago and now has to work out at the middle school because the high school weight room is unavailable.

"It may not seem like lifting weights is needed for dancing but the amount of injuries we've had since we've started lifting weights has gone down dramatically. We didn't have one girl blow a knee out this year," Sue Putra, Blue Revue coach said. "The whole idea of the fitness center is something I believe will be beneficial to everyone and especially female athletes."

Although space is a major issue with the present weight room, it's not the only concern.

Putra said she believes the new up-to-date equipment that's planned to be purchased will also be a benefit.

"The weight room we have now is too small to get an adequate workout and its equipment is not as easily used by women," Jennifer Davis, volleyball and soccer coach, said. "The dumbbells are too heavy. I think the variety of equipment available for every body type will be much more beneficial."

Scott Rice, the new head varsity football coach, also agrees that the equipment and room needs to be updated.

"You can have the Taj Mahal of fitness centers or a 30 by 40 room with old equipment, what matters is if you have the students and know how to get them involved and motivated," Rice said. "This weight room is something we can work with, but the biggest issue is the size. Too small means there can be problems."

Rice was hired in February and has began his first year this summer by teaching a strength and conditioning summer school course. Last year about seven students lifted weights and trained at the high school, this summer Rice is working with over 60 students throughout each day during the week.

He formerly taught and coached football at McFarland High School and worked with over 600 students there in a 3,000-square-foot fitness center.

"We really had a strong program at McFarland with not only boys but girls as well," Rice said. "We always had a great atmosphere and it was never a football only facility. It was welcoming to the younger athletes."

Although Rice has had to adjust to a small and under-equipped weight room he said by the time the new one comes along he'll have the program up and on its feet.

"I'm excited, it's not only going to benefit the athletic teams but it will be a great physical education tool," Rice said. "The number one thing with physical education is installing a knowledge of lifetime fitness. The majority of people that continue physical activity have had some experience earlier in their life."

Rice isn't the only one who feels the fitness center will be a good teaching tool. All of the high school physical education teachers also agree.

"A new facility would be an even greater motivator to inspire students to work out more," Todd Hoffman, head girls basketball coach said. "It'll be a great way to get the middle-of-the-road student involved and that's a huge asset to everyone."

Mudler said they're hoping to have enough funds by December to begin construction next spring.

"This is not something we can build with tax dollars in the present climate when we are laying people off. It's something that needs to be done by the community's choice," Mudler said. "People need to remember this isn't about sports, it's about combating obesity and having a teaching facility to do that. A healthy body has a healthy mind."

The Boosters and Optimists have a number of fund-raisers scheduled for the upcoming months including a golf outing on Monday, football tailgate party at homecoming, a rummage play it again sports sale, an adult gala and a gently used prom dress resale event.

The groups are currently looking for donations and would like to have 200 people pledge $1,000 over a three year period. Those wanting to donate higher amounts of money can donate $5,000 to $50,000 and have naming rights for an equipment, team room or the entire facility. Those donating $250 to $2,500 will be included on a plaque on the inside of the building.

For more information, visit www.watertown.k12.wi.us/fitnesstrainingcenter/. Pledges can be made payable to Watertown Area Community Foundation and can be mailed to Dennis Mudler, 1610 Country Club Lane, Watertown 53098.