By Justine Long
The Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex is back and fully open with new protocols and an influx of students coming in on a daily basis.
“The building is alive again and that feels great,” Colleen Ford, Office Manager of the Athletics Department, said. “Students are in the building more, both student-athletes and students in general.”
COVID-19 protocols are in place but have changed for the better. Students are still asked to wear masks indoors, but the gym no longer has capacity limits and Varsity/Club sports are back in action. In addition, Group Exercise classes and home games at the W.B. Mason stadium are back to normal after a long year and a half without both.
One of the biggest improvements for this upcoming year is the ability for students to work out in the main gym whenever they want. There is no more scheduling an appointment or allotted times for cleaning the machines.
“We are glad that the students are able to come in on their own time instead of scheduling,” Sean Jewett, Building Supervisor, said. “We are still trying to navigate these uncharted territories, but we are so happy to see all the students back in the building.”
Students themselves have noticed the positive changes and are looking forward to setting up a new workout routine.
Senior Makenzie Charest has been using the gym since her first year at Stonehill and is happy that some of the rules have changed.
“While the sign-up system and designated cleaning times were in place for our safety, it made choosing times more difficult because some days it was too full or busy,” Charest said. “The big positive is that I see people overlapping their workout times, and there are a lot more students taking advantage of the gym.”
The Sports Complex staff is also planning on growing. There is currently a process in place to hire a new Assistant Director of Athletics for Recreation and Varsity Programs.
“Hopefully someone can be hired who will fit with the culture of Athletics and Rec. Sports,” Ford said. “Someone who has the skill set to support the needs of our students. He or she needs to be able to work with staff to complement and grow our programs.”
Students who work as Building Supervisors in the Sports Complex are also hoping to gain more student employees. According to Jewett, the staff is looking to expand their current team of 15 to 40.
These changes and additions are all positive for both students who use the facilities and staff members of the Sports Complex, but there is still progress to be made.
“We are moving towards a normal world, but we still need to be mindful of COVID,” Bobby Lisi, Building Supervisor, said. “We can do all the things that we love in the Sports Complex again, but if we don’t follow the masking protocols, I fear that we will have to take a step back backward.”
Other members of the staff agree.
“We are working and brainstorming tirelessly trying to improve the building. We are going above and beyond this semester to ensure that students can work out and be safe,” Jewett said.
Overall, the community at the Sports Complex is ready to invite students back in and start a fresh and exciting new year.
Lisi reminds his fellow Skyhawks that everyone should continue to work together. “As a message to the student body, please be smart and follow the rules so we can keep doing the things we love!”