IU Northwest’s Savannah Fitness Center Reopened after Remodel, Expansion

IUN-FitnessCtr-RedHawksWallAfter undergoing a summer-long remodel and expansion effort, the Savannah fitness center reopened its doors on October 1 to the Indiana University Northwest community. The facility’s $135,000 renovation, which is the Savannah Center’s first improvement since it was built in 2000, doubled the size of the workout area, while adding state-of-the-art equipment, television monitors and wall graphics.

Kris Schnatz, Director of Athletics, directed the renovation, which was a collaborative effort between the Department of Athletics, the Student Government Association (SGA) and athletes to determine how the space should be utilized and what specific improvements were needed.

“We accomplished our goals and stayed well under budget,” he said. “I was determined to stay fiscally responsible while firm to meet our needs. Through our extensive research and collaboration, we were able to meet all of our needs. We are excited about the outcome.”

While students, faculty and staff can join the IU Northwest Savannah Fitness Center at reasonably low rates, the general public can also join the center for $360 per year. Senior citizens enjoy a discount.

“When I first came to IU Northwest as Director of Athletics two years ago it was clear to me that the workout facility, which was housed in a former computer lab space, needed to be updated and expanded,” Schnatz said. “Through the SGA and our athletes, we assessed that our students also wanted these improvements and we were able to put many of their recommendations in place.”

Specifically, the renovation has doubled the square footage of the fitness center, adding separate rooms for cardio and strength training that include 13 new cardio machines, top-of-the-line strength equipment, and shock-absorbent rubber flooring. The facility also displays new wall graphics which feature the IU Northwest RedHawk logo and motivational quotations that will be selected and changed each year through a campus-wide student contest.

The newly renovated fitness center will accommodate the growing number of RedHawk athletic programs and student-athletes and serve as an important recruitment tool for the athletic department. According to Chancellor William J. Lowe, the facility is also a valuable resource for the larger student body, faculty and staff.

“This facility is a wonderful resource for our athletes – an important way for them to be conditioned and healthy, but also an important resource for all of us,” Lowe said. For students, faculty and staff, regular physical exercise will enhance everything you do.”

Since the Savannah Center opened in 2000, the fitness center has served students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as Ivy Tech students. For information about memberships and fitness center hours of operation, visit http://www.iun.edu/student-activities/fitness-center/index.htm. Or, call Anna Villanueva at (219) 980-6944.

About Indiana University Northwest
As one of seven Indiana University campuses, IU Northwest leads the region as the premier, urban campus dedicated to serving the needs of more than 6,000 students from the state’s most diverse and industrialized region. Committed to helping its local Northwest Indiana communities thrive, IU Northwest is best-known for providing a personal, quality and affordable education close to home. IU Northwest positions its students to be leaders with more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional degree options available from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Business and Economics, and the School of Education. The campus is also host to IU School of Medicine-Northwest, which actively involves students in research and local healthcare needs through its four-year medical doctorate program. For more information, please visit www.iun.edu.