This past Monday, the Stafford Fitness Center reopened under new COVID-19 guidelines in accordance with the state requirements. After a delayed start due to awaiting passing tests, the athletic department has been hard at work creating schedules, reservation sheets and assuring proper safety measures for all students and faculty. 

The hours for both the Stafford Fitness Center and the Varsity Strength and Conditioning room are similar to the past, but the limitations fall under how many guests are allowed to use the space as well as time allowed in the gym. For the larger fitness center, there is a max capacity of 10 guests at any given time. By signing up online through the new St. Lawrence University Fitness Center Scheduling System, WaitWhile. Each guest may only use the space for an hour block, starting on the hour, and have to be there directly at opening, or the spot will be lost. Varsity athletes may access the strength and conditioning room for 30 minutes and the max volume is six individuals. As per New York State guidance, masks are required in both the strength and conditioning room and the fitness center. 

Lauren Arthaud ‘21, is a student-worker in the Stafford Fitness Center and has been relatively impressed with how smooth this opening has gone. “The biggest part of our jobs that’s changed is the monitoring piece, as we are supposed to closely watch to make sure everyone is wiping down what they’ve used… It’s just really important that students are accountable for wiping down the equipment they use after they are done using it. It’s actually been really good so far, I haven’t seen people not wiping things down, but it’s only been a couple of days. The whole system has seemed to be running pretty smoothly so far, and I just hope everyone is respectful and does their part so we can all stay on campus and continue using facilities like the gym.”

Though the pool, field house, sauna, Burkman gymnasium, squash and tennis courts are not currently opening, the university is working on a soft opening of those spaces, following updated COVID-19 test results. Though most students at St. Lawrence understands why the gym did not immediately open at the start of the academic year, it’s opening has provided many with a piece of mind, knowing that they will be able to exercise for mental and physical benefits. With the Canton weather slowly getting colder, the gym will once again provide a space for students and faculty to engage in meaningful physical activity.