SYRACUSE -- The new YMCA at Onondaga Community College opened its doors to students and staff on Monday. The facility has been in the works for more than a year.
It features a fitness and wellness center, where people working out can use brand new treadmills, weight machines, and elliptical machines. Students using the fitness center on Monday gave it high marks.
"This place is great," says OCC freshman Alec Welsh. "The other weight room we have, it was OK, but it didn't have the variety we have here."
The YMCA is connected to OCC's SRC Arena, a new multi-million dollar indoor athletic and events center that is now under construction. When it's finished, the arena will hold a track, basketball courts, an an area for concerts and commencement ceremonies.
The YMCA is also a work in progress. Officials say there will soon be recreation and group exercise areas.
"Staying physically active is a very important part of everyone's life," says Executive Director Cheryl Busztai. "But certainly with students, we hope that they participate and maintain their physical activity while they're attending college."
The new YMCA is expected to open its doors to the public after January 1st.
