1st Summit Arena officials eying fitness center | News

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Cambria County War Memorial Authority officials are starting off to do the hefty lifting to incorporate a health middle inside the arena.

The strategy is in the early phases – but authority officials explained Monday that they hope to interact with an engineering agency this summer to establish models wanted to insert a center in the rear of 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial’s 2nd ground.

“Several” teams, together with area hockey groups, have expressed a willingness to assist fund the venture, which would be a collaborative work with the Larger Johnstown Group YMCA to improve overall health, wellness and athleticism in the metropolis, Chairman Chris Glessner said.

“We’re on the lookout at methods to coordinate courses among our two websites to preserve men and women downtown,” Glessner claimed. “It could necessarily mean more options for pupil athletes to practice with each other, as properly as parents who just take their youngsters to exercise.”

Space for the middle is not an concern.

A back part of the arena’s higher floor has been utilized for storage for years.

But problems this kind of as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as perfectly as direct obtain to the room, however will need to be sorted out, Glessner said.

That is where an engineering firm is required, authority officials included.

Treadmills and weightlifting products are probable additions, but “once we sit down with an engineer and search at what is needed and what it’ll take to develop (a exercise centre), we’ll have a significantly far better notion what we’re on the lookout at,” Glessner reported.

“That’s likely signify acquiring a base solution, a Cadillac selection and one thing in concerning … and observing what we can find the money for,” he said.

Dependent on how the quick that procedure moves forward, it’s doable the heart could be formulated by the conclusion of the yr, he extra.

Fellow authority member Jessie Anderson said there is previously enjoyment among the the youth hockey local community.

Arena officials surveyed local rink users about no matter if there was interest curiosity – and the reaction has appeared to be a resounding “yes,” she claimed, noting that numerous, together with college groups, don’t have that option.

“There’s a ton of chatter. (The idea) has produced a lot of enthusiasm,” Anderson claimed.

But there is nonetheless a procedure to stick to, Glessner reported.

“There are still a number of additional measures we have to apparent,” he explained. 

David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TDDavidHurst.