The Corbo Fitness Center in the D.J. Lombardo Student Center will look much different when students return to campus for the spring semester. The facility was renovated in the summer and fall months following a recommendation from JCU’s Student Government requesting a better place to exercise on campus.
“Our hope is that this facility is inclusive, welcoming, and inviting to all students no matter their ability or experience with exercise and physical wellness,” said Matt Clark, Director of Recreation at John Carroll. “A large part of JCU Recreation's mission to help students create the foundation for lifelong health and wellness by providing opportunities to form healthy habits that they can take with them after graduating. Having an updated, well-functioning, and accessible fitness center that students are excited about plays such a key role in that. Additionally, we hope that this project helps attract new students to JCU and gives them something to show off and be proud of.”
Construction plans were developed throughout the 2019-2020 academic year, and the renovation lasted from June-September 2020 before opening on October 5.
Through the 2018 student survey and focus groups conducted in early 2019, a vision for the new fitness center was crafted to meet the needs of students looking to use the space for recreation. The two-and-a-half year project culminated in meeting JCU Recreation’s main goals to:
- Create an inclusive and welcoming environment: One main goal was to attract all members of the JCU community, including those who are avid exercisers, those who are just getting started, and those who don't know where to start. The color scheme was changed to make the space brighter, the floor was reconfigured, and a new lobby was added. Large windows were installed with a new sound system and TVs, and the space now includes John Carroll-themed graphics and wall coverings to make the space feel more practical and welcoming.
- Increase space and change entrance location: Through studies conducted, it became clear that the old facility lacked the space to safely and effectively meet students’ equipment needs. A new layout was developed including the addition of 900 square feet of usable space to improve the flow of the room and account for the lobby.
- Purchase new equipment and reconfigure layout: About 80 percent of the equipment was replaced, including 12 treadmills and two Stairmasters with touchscreen monitors; 12 selectorized strength machines; four cable strength machines; three plate-loaded strength machines; two Olympic bench presses; and a four-station squat/bench rack with reinforced flooring for Olympic lifts. Additionally, the re-designed layout ensures long walking aisles and plenty of open space around each machine.