New JWP fitness center complete

After months of tearing down a wall, installing rubber flooring, and bringing in the equipment, the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton school has a new weight room - soon to be called the “fitness center” - available for use by students, staff, and community members. The installation of the equipment, all done on Tuesday, Jan. 17, was the last step in completing the project.

While the facility’s location in the school basement hasn’t changed, its size is nearly double. A former locker room which was barely utilized was removed; with the wall torn down, the room became much larger.

Everything else has also been dramatically changed in the weight room, from the brand new equipment to the paint on the walls. “We pretty much redid everything,” Athletic Director Paul Brunner summarized.

With a new room came brand new exercise equipment. Prior to the remodeling, the facility had room for two treadmills; the remaining space was filled with weight equipment.  A much greater variety is now in place, with nearly triple the treadmills and other cardio machines.

“What’s great is that some of our equipment has the Bulldogs logo on it,” Brunner said. “It’s cool that we were able to do that.”

With such a variety of equipment, Brunner shared, it only seemed fitting to begin using a name which reflects the expanded options, thus the space will soon be called the “fitness center” rather than simply the weight room. “We want to be more inclusive,” Brunner said. “While there are still going to be weights, there are a lot more treadmills and other exercise equipment than before. We want people to feel welcome and comfortable when using this room.”

He is also excited to see it get used now that it’s complete. “Everyone will be able to use it. The phy-ed teachers can teach students, student-athletes can work out in it, I’m sure Andrea [Kronbach] will find a use for it with community education, there will be a lot of female-only workouts in here…this room will be utilized often, that’s for sure.”

Brunner could barely contain his excitement, and while the Pioneer was getting its sneak peek at the new fitness center, curious students were looking to get their own previews.

“This is great for the school,” Brunner concluded. “We’re very grateful to have something like this for the students and others to use. We are lucky to be able to get the equipment we have. That’s why we will take great care of this room.”