NOTE: Links to seven photos of the fitness center are at the bottom of this news release.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center will hold a grand opening at 3 p.m. on Monday at its newly expanded/renovated Center for Healthy Living facility at 40th and Jones streets.
The $6 million project, which spanned nearly two years, included a 6,525-square-foot addition and renovation of 11,845 square feet of two floors of the building. The project was made possible by a lead donation by Omaha philanthropists Ruth and Bill Scott, longtime supporters of UNMC and the University of Nebraska.
"Ruth and Bill Scott have done so much for UNMC. They have literally transformed our campus," said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. "This fitness center is a game changer. Our fitness facility had become antiquated and was in need of an update. The Scotts couldn’t have given us a better gift to make our campus healthier. This is a facility that could potentially benefit all our students, faculty and employees."
Some of the highlights of the new facility include:
- Larger strength and fitness machine areas;
- Additional dedicated group fitness activity areas;
- Permanent areas for stretching and table tennis;
- Larger locker rooms with private changing areas and showers;
- New synthetic gym floor designed for user comfort and safety.
The Center for Healthy Living, which is part of the Student Life Center, has seen more than 48,000 total visits so far in 2016. In addition, more than 1,500 participants have taken part in UNMC’s 10 intramural sports leagues this year, and the center plans to add three new intramural leagues for dodgeball, sand volleyball and pickleball.
In recent years, with the creation of the UNMC Ice Rink in the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza, UNMC has been able to add curling, broomball and bocce ball leagues.
"This building is one of the most important places on campus," said Morgan Johnson, a second-year medical student and a member of the UNMC Student Senate. "It’s one of the places where teamwork is displayed, where friendships across colleges becomes a reality, and where students have an outlet to set goals for the healthy lifestyles we preach to our patients."
Jayme Nekuda, Ph.D., associate director of human resources, said the importance of fitness cannot be underestimated.
"We need to realize that it’s essential to take care of ourselves and one another. Spending time together at this magnificent new Center for Healthy Living can be a great way to do that," she said. "Taking a break is not taking away from your productive time, it can actually add to it.
"We all know exercise is medicine, but it’s tough to fit in a time to work out with the schedules that we have. Being fit can carry over into other aspects of your life. Speaking personally, it has given me more stamina and self-confidence, and I know it has allowed me to not put limits on myself."
The grand opening event marks the beginning of UNMC Employee Appreciation Week, which will feature several special events and giveaways for employees.
Following remarks at the grand opening ceremony, tours of the new facility will be offered. In addition, fitness on demand and cycling demonstrations will be given, and students will be playing ping pong on the center’s new tables. Free massages also will be available.
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.
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Photos of the renovated UNMC Center for Healthy Living
