As it celebrates its first anniversary, the Concannon Fitness Center at Providence College has emerged as one of the most popular spots on campus for all members of the College community.

According to figures maintained by the Department of Recreational Sports, a total of 227,086 visits were recorded during the 2007-2008 academic year to either the Concannon Fitness Center or the Peterson Recreation Center, which is primarily used for intramural and recreational sports purposes. An average week saw 6,308 users, with 5,820 of them being students.

Edward F. Laprey, director of recreational sports, explained that the entrance to the fitness center and Peterson occurs through a common station, making official documentation of fitness center visits difficult. However, he emphasized that the usage numbers "are largely driven by heavy use of the Concannon Fitness Center."

Interest in the fitness center/Peterson Center has remained high during this school year, with more than 7,100 student users and 7,600 overall visits registered in each of the first four weeks. The figures are on a par with the weekly average for last academic year but are somewhat higher because there have been no breaks in the school calendar as of yet, said Laprey.

Laprey said that other than a few minor technical glitches, "you'd have to search long and hard to find anything negative from this first year" of operations at the fitness center. He described the center as "the most positive project I've been involved in at PC."

The $12 million, two-level center was dedicated on October 4, 2007. It features over 60 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, as well as a variety of free weights and resistance training machines.

Laprey said the busiest days of use in the fitness center last year appeared to be Monday through Wednesday, with a daily average of more than 1,300 users going through the fitness center/Peterson Center entrance station. The facility's peak weekday hours are 2:30 to 7:30 p.m., when it is common to see more than 100 people using the center at once, he noted. 

"I think it's been great for a lot of students to relieve stress and get through the week," said Mackenzie Mango '10 of Farmington, Conn., who uses the Concannon Fitness Center regularly. "It makes it a lot easier to go to the gym when you know it is a nice atmosphere and that your friends will be there, too."

Michaela Lavoie '10 of Salem, N.H., added, "It's so much better than what we had as freshmen. There are still machines and other equipment available at the busiest times."

Positive feedback has not been limited to students, with 198 full-time faculty and staff memberships purchased and many alumni taking advantage of the facility as well.

"My membership to the Concannon Fitness Center represents the confluence of two things that are very important to me: my health and my love of Providence College," said Edward O'Donnell '78 of Greenville, R.I., who was the first alumnus to purchase a membership, which he has since renewed.

O'Donnell, who visits the gym four mornings per week, added that "the students working out at the gym help to keep me young. It is a privilege to be with them."

        - Joe Miller '10