Monday, March 1, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Students flock to Robinson following athletic club fire
Joel Sanner, Lawrence resident, works out at Total Fitness Athletic Center, 2108 W. 27th St. Local health clubs, including Robinson Center at the University of Kansas, have become crowded after the Lawrence Athletic Center was damaged by fire earlier this month. Photo by Matt J. Daugherty/KANSAN
By Elizabeth Holder and Michael Terry Special to the Kansan
Some KU students' New Year's resolutions went up in flames when the Lawrence Athletic Club, 3201 Mesa Way, burned down early this month.
When William Madl, Bonner Springs senior, heard that the gym had been destroyed in a fire, he said he was horrified. He had purchased a membership to the gym for Christmas and was eager to use it.
But because of Robinson Center, Madi did not miss a workout. Madi and many other KU students whose exercise routines were disrupted by the fire have had to battle inflated prices, rigid contracts and crowds at various Lawrence gyms.
"Many people have been left without a gym to exercise in," said Mary Chappell, director of KU recreation services. "Robinson is trying to accommodate the recent and temporary accumulation of participants, but we have to be strict since there are classes here during the academic day."
KU Fit, an aerobics program offered at Robinson, has sold about 40 new passes since the fire at LAC, said Michelle Rider, director of KU Fit.
To make sure all Robinson users are KU students or staff, building officials lock all of the entrances, except on the west side, during the morning hours.
Louis Woods, Robinson security guard, has noticed about 25 more people in the gym each day. He said that now he scans about 90 student ID cards from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. each day. Before the fire, he said he usually scanned about 65.
"I have had to keep my eye on things more," he said. "We must check IDs carefully, and that tends to really make students mad. But, hey, it's my job."
Other gyms throughout Lawrence also have had an increase in membership.
At the time of the fire, Total Fitness, 2108 W. 27th S., offered KU students a discounted rate for a new membership. Since then, Total Fitness has eliminated the student dis
count rate because of an increase in membership.
"We did have to discontinue our student discounts, but there's a good reason," said Martin Tuley, president of Total Fitness. "The capacity for our facility is around 2,700 members and we were already close to our limit."
Alvamar Nautilus Fitness Center, 4120 Clinton Pkwy, has also had a slight increase in membership said Tracev Kearn, manager.
Lawrence Athletic Club owner Richard Sells said the club could be partially reopened for service within a month and could possibly
be entirely open by June 1.
LAC members will not be billed for the time the club is closed, Sellis said. Members who already have paid will retain the time they had left on their membership as of Feb. 5.
Sells said membership information was not lost in the fire because he kept a backup of the club's computer system at home.
Members who will leave town before the club reopens should send a letter explaining their situation to 213 Glenview Dr., Lawrence, Kan., 6049, Sells said.
Edited by Jodi Smith
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