The Cassell Fitness Center closed on Sept. 23 until further notice due to emergency construction work, according to an email sent to recreational sports and fitness members by RecFitness.
The email did not specify what caused the need for emergency construction, but clarified that there would be communication on the reopening via email and on Instagram. It also said that group classes would be moved to Jacobs Fitness Center or cancelled.
Matthew Bennett, vice president and chief communications officer, said in a statement to The Eagle that the fitness center closed due to “water intrusion resulting from a plumbing incident in a residence hall bathroom.”
He said that while the University is pending final clearance, the fitness center is expected to reopen on Sept. 29. The statement did not respond to questions on whether students who live in Cassell would be impacted and what would happen to the student employees who work at Cassell Fitness Center.
“We are working to complete the work as quickly as possible while ensuring cleanup and repairs are completed in compliance with health and safety procedures,” Bennett wrote.
Student employees working the front desk at Jacobs Fitness Center said they were not allowed to speak on the subject.
Aurelia Sorace, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs, lives in Cassell and said her friend on the first floor moved out a few weeks ago when her room flooded and is now living in Leonard Hall. Sorace said that while most students don’t know what is happening, the hall smells like sewage.
Sam Ingrassia, a sophomore in the School of International Service, said all the rooms ending in “03” were impacted from the plumbing issues and had to move out on Sept. 23. She also said people at the gym were calling 2Fix since the beginning of the school year, but nothing was done until now.
“I think it’s kind of ridiculous that they didn’t fix it prior,” Ingrassia said.
Sorace and Ingrassia said they both use the Cassell gym and switching to Jacobs Fitness Center will be inconvenient and a big shift.
Emma Daffner, a sophomore in the School of Communication, found out what caused the closure when her resident assistant sent a message to her floor’s GroupMe. She said she usually goes to Jacobs, but anticipates longer wait times for equipment.
“Now the entire campus has to use Jacobs gym, which makes it less accessible to people and there’s not enough equipment for everyone,” Ingrassia said.
Jacobs Fitness Center includes a strength area, cardio floor and one group exercise studio. Students can also access the Reeves Aquatic Center and Bender Arena through the gym.
Sorace, Ingrassia and Daffner all said there should have been more communication to students about what happened.
“I feel like we have a right to know, especially living in Cassell. We have all put in money towards living here on purpose,” Sorace said.
This article was edited by Cara Halford, Abigail Hatting and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting.
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