Some high school athletes purchase gym memberships even though Pelham Memorial High School has a fitness center and a weight room. The problem is those facilities are outdated and lack some of the features of modern centers. A local nonprofit organization, the Friends of Pelham Sports, aims to change things with an initiative to raise money to renovate the high school’s physical training facilities.
The effort began at the end of 2022 after years of discussion about the equipment among students, coaches, and community members. Fundraising officially began in December, and so far the group has raised $377,000 out of the $525,000 campaign goal, with $100,000 pledged as a donor match.
“It’s not just about lifting heavy weights or doing cardio for 30 minutes a day anymore,” according to an emailed statement from the board of directors of the Friends of Pelham Sports. “The concept of functional training, mobility and (high intensity interval training) has become hugely popular, and the equipment that has been selected reflects that.”
“A nearby facility like Eastchester is a great example of how to provide access to different groups equitably,” said the board. “They post a weekly and rotating calendar for all students (open gym time), off-season athletes and in-season athletes to use the training facilities. They have a dedicated strength and conditioning coach to help teach students to safely use the equipment. We are confident that the school will find an excellent solution for our students to provide access to everyone with staffing and schedules considered.”
Partnering with Advantage Fitness, a local fitness equipment vendor, Friends of Pelham Sports has created an equipment list to make the best use of the space. The group aims to create three distinct fitness suites, consisting of strength training, cardio and wellness studios. The new equipment will be high-tech and customizable, allowing students to create personalized workouts through the equipment and with their phones.
“It’s also worth noting that the cardio equipment will be leased, which provides the school with ongoing maintenance on equipment, newer models every five-plus years and the ability to tweak what equipment is in the facility based on student use,” said the board. In addition, the three rooms reserved for use as fitness and wellness centers will undergo significant renovations to bring the spaces up to date and make them a safe environment for students.
“Fitness is more than just athletic performance,” said the board. “It’s a mood booster, a powerful stress reliever, and it’s proven to improve cognitive function as well.”
Donations can be made here. Those who give $1,000 or more will have their name inscribed on a plaque in the new facilities.
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