Students complain about crowding in Dillon

As students prepare to strut their stuff during Houseparties this weekend, one might expect Stephens Fitness Center in Dillon Gym to be packed with soon-to-be revelers fitting in some last-minute workouts before they don their sleeveless dresses and formalwear.

But some students have expressed mixed opinions about the equipment and facilities at Dillon.

Sohaib Perwaiz '10, who said he uses the Stephens almost daily, called his workouts "relaxing" but expressed disappointment with the current offerings of the non-varsity gym.

Offering a few suggestions for improving the facility, Perwaiz said, "I think the Stephens Fitness Center should stay open later on the weekends. They definitely need more treadmills — you almost always have to wait in line."

Perwaiz also suggested increased opportunities for students to make use of the Dillon pool, which he said he uses weekly. "The hours should be changed so that there are more hours in the afternoon," he said. He added that he is frustrated that the pool is frequently closed to the public without prior announcement.

But elsewhere in Dillon, the long hours of operation are seen as a benefit, Dillon athletics monitor Peter Ogden said. He noted that the building's basketball courts are open until 1 a.m. every day, while Stephens closes at 11:45 p.m. "It's good that we're open so late because a steady stream of people come in around 11," he said.

Dillon is not the only student workout locale, however. Farther down campus, Jadwin Gym offers additional workout and athletic facilities. "Jadwin's facilities are really nice," Ogden said.

Though the facilities at Jadwin — which include a fencing room and a wrestling room — are sometimes used for recreational purposes, it is largely reserved for varsity athletes. "It is good that we have this separation of facilities," Ogden said. "This way the entire football team doesn't invade the gym at the same time to pump iron."

Ariel Rogers '08, a former member of the women's varsity basketball team, had to move her workouts from Jadwin to Dillon after she quit the varsity team. The biggest difference is the walking distance, she said, noting that the change in location reduces her walk by 10 minutes. Though the shorter commute is convenient, Rogers said, it "also means that everyone is there."

"A lot of the time [Dillon] is really congested," she said.

Nevertheless, she added that the fitness center needs more equipment that caters to its patrons. "It would be beneficial if there were more cardio machines there," she said. "At Dillon, people are working out to stay in shape. Therefore, you find more people on the treadmill and elliptical machines."