Above, Scott Hankard ’07, a graduate student in his fourth year of eligibility with the Friars’ men’s soccer team, demonstrates a piece of strength equipment in the new Concannon Fitness Center. Below is the first-level workout area, which features dozens of cardiovascular machines.

The 23,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, which opened 15 months after groundbreaking, features the latest in exercise equipment that caters to all users, from novices to varsity student-athletes. With its glass façade, three-level atrium, and exterior landscaping, the fitness center significantly transforms the look of the Main Campus as well.

Another feature of the center is its unified entrance, which allows passageway into the Slavin Center, Alumni Hall, the Peterson Recreation Center, and the center itself.

“This is beyond any expectations I had when the College first started talking about a new fitness center. It’s a first-class, state-of-the-art fitness facility,” said Edward F. Laprey, director of recreational sports, whose staff will oversee use of the center and who helped coordinate the purchasing of equipment and its layout.

The two-level Concannon Fitness Center more than triples the amount of workout space available to the general College community. There are 13,850 square feet of dedicated fitness space, compared to 3,800 square feet in the previous two fitness rooms in Alumni Hall.

In addition, the center contains a 3,600-square-foot varsity weight room for student-athletes, 1,250 square feet of meeting space, a press box that overlooks the lacrosse and field hockey complex, and the 4,000-square-foot atrium. There are more than 160 pieces of freestanding fitness equipment.

The main fitness attraction is the 62 cardiovascular machines—all but six of which are equipped with cable TV. There are eight types of cardiovascular machines, including 18 treadmills, 12 cross-trainers, 12 arc-trainers, six upright bikes, and six recumbent bikes. Two machines are specially fitted for the physically challenged.

The fitness center will be open seven days a week when school is in session, including from 6:00 a.m. to midnight on four weekdays. In all, the center will operate 114 hours each week—27 more hours than previously. 

The $12 million fitness center is named for Board of Trustee member William F. Concannon ’77 of Dallas, Texas, who donated a $2 million leadership gift. The center will be dedicated and blessed on October 4.