Fitness center re-opens at D’Angola

By Anthony Reyna | Published February 15, 2023

Featuring a turf workout area, monitors lining the entire room, a direct pathway to Harwood Arena, and two floors of new cardio and weight-training equipment, the newly renovated D’Angola gymnasium serves as a massive overhaul from the previous workout centers on campus. 

In the Fall 2022 semester, students, faculty, and staff were informed that the D’Angola Gym was under construction and would re-open for the Spring 2023 semester. While the gym was under construction, students had to use interim gym located at East Campus. 

On Jan. 17, the first day of the Spring semester, the new fitness center was opened in D’Angola with a soft launch. Dr. Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., was in attendance at the soft opening and said that this year his administration is focusing on wellness as a whole at Kean. 

“We’ve done some great work with our facilities, athletic fields, and recreation spaces, and this world-class fitness center is another option we are giving students, faculty, and staff to work out and improve their overall wellness,” Repollet said. 

D’Angola Gymnasium is the original home for the athletic department and was first built in 1963 before a complete renovation and repurpose in 2006. The new fitness center’s renovation serves as the first major overhaul for a fitness center on campus in over 16 years.

 “This gym is more modern than the other fitness centers on campus,” Paul Williams managing assistant director of recreation said. “It has a variety of equipment that can appeal to fitness enthusiasts and student-athletes alike.” 

Thomas Johnson, a junior majoring in physical education who works at the fitness center as a receptionist said that the newly renovated gym is more spacious for students to work out.

Johnson said the gym is loaded with more advanced equipment in comparison to the old weight room adding that the new space “gives LA Fitness vibes.” 

Regaining easier access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities is a major relief to the athletic department as well as all student-athletes, following the completion of the lengthy renovation which left the space unavailable for a semester. 

“I think the new gym is attracting more students to work out on campus due to the fact you just need your Kean ID and don’t have to pay for a membership,” Johnson said. “This gym allows students to work out in between classes as well and just maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

The upgrade in space also allows for both students and faculty to workout comfortably and without interference, which was a frequent complaint made about the East Campus location

“The ability to provide an environment where students can be confident in the facilities is extremely important,” Williams said. “In addition to having the appropriate equipment and gear, we also pride ourselves on cleanliness and organization to make sure everyone who enters the gym has a good experience.” 

D’Angola’s new Fitness Center is open to students, staff, and faculty on Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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