Lucy Paine, Managing Editor
Over the summer, the school’s fitness center endured a major renovation aimed at improving both athletic performance and personal growth. The project, funded through nearly $300,000 in parent donations, included new equipment, updating flooring and layout changes designed to make the space safer and more functional.
Strength and Conditioning Coach Jason Miska explained that in recent years, the athletic department recognized that the outdated equipment no longer reflected the growing success of its teams. “We thought it was at a point where the equipment was getting a little antiquated,” he said. “With the success of our sports, parlaying those two together and painting that picture for the parents—they really rallied.”
Photo by Lucy Paine
According to Coach Miska, the fitness center now features five new strength training machines, including heavy-duty cable-mounted row and pulldown machines, upgraded dumbbells, and brand-new racks from commercial equipment supplier Sorinex. “The pulldown and row machines we’re getting now go up to 300 pounds rather than 200,” he said. “This can help stronger athletes reach their full potential.”
Each rack is equipped with an iPad, which displays daily workouts and allows students to track their progress over time. “Rather than just guessing what weight to use, you’ll have actual data to back up your growth,” Coach Miska said.
One of the major upgrades to the space was the installation of a new floor designed to reduce impact and stress on athletes’ joints. “This floor is really good for absorption,” Coach Miska said. “It reduces the pressure on the knees and minimizes the constant impact.” In addition to the main space, a hallway near the kitchen area was converted into a speed zone with padded flooring to allow for safer winter training.
While teams like football, track, basketball, wrestling and baseball already use the facility regularly, Miska emphasized that the space is designed for all sports and accessible to all students. “Nothing in here is tailored for one sport,” he said. “We use what we call functional strength training, which applies to all of our athletes.”
Photo by Lucy Paine
The fitness center is also used during physical education classes, by the gym buddies program and by faculty members. Coach Miska noted that it is currently the most used space in the school. Programs like football and track have seen growth from this model, with over 250 students regularly participating in training across those teams.
As part of the renovation, the school donated its older equipment to Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The donation allowed the school to support another student community while making space for updated gear.
While the renovation addressed key needs, Miska said this is only the first phase. “We maximized what we could do for this wave, but we do need some other equipment,” he said. “Once this is set, we’ll see how it’s spaced and figure out what else is needed.”
The opening of this new and improved fitness center is set to be within the next few weeks and will be available for all students and faculty to attend. The Courant will be there for all of it so stay tuned for more updates as they come!
