District officials informally unveiled the high school’s new, renovated weight room on Nov. 17, one of the final projects in the district’s $36.9 million capital project.
Now, students in all high school physical education classes have the opportunity to use the room as part of their physical education rotation modules. Sports teams will also use the room as part of their ongoing training.
Although the renovation of the weight room is complete, what still remains is the completion of the high school’s new cardio fitness center, which is scheduled for early winter 2026. The new 1,250 sq. ft. facility will be the newest edition to the high school’s footprint. Once this happens, district officials plan an official dedication of these two areas.
The high school’s physical education faculty, members of the Board of Education and district administration along with students trying out for the Varsity Girls Basketball and Varsity Boys Wrestling teams stopped by after school to take a look at the new room as part of the room’s informal unveiling.
"An improved cardio and weight room facility will significantly enhance the high school physical education curriculum by providing students with greater access to modern, functional fitness equipment and a wider range of exercise opportunities,” said High School Physical Education Department Chairperson Danielle Zamorski. “Updated strength-training and cardiovascular stations allow teachers to deliver more diverse, personalized and goal-oriented fitness programs that accommodate varying skill levels and abilities. A well-designed facility also supports the development of lifelong healthy habits by helping students build confidence, understand proper technique, and engage in safe, effective physical activity."
“We know our physical education faculty and students have been waiting for the completion of this room’s renovation and we’re thrilled it’s finally available for their use,” added Superintendent Brian Monahan. “Every student will have the chance to use this room. We believe this new space will help students better understand the importance of physical fitness in supporting both their physical and emotional health.”
The weight room now features state-of-the art free weight stations with powerlift half racks and combination racks with plates, bars, connecting braces and benches, Bulgarian bags (crescent-shaped, sand-filled training tools made of leather or canvas with flexible handles used for strength, power and cardiovascular exercises), kettlebells, (cast-iron or cast-steel weights shaped like a ball with a handle on top, resembling a cannonball with a handle) cross training jump ropes as well as a three-tier dumbbell rack with weights ranging from five to 100 pounds.
There’s nine strengthening stations, including a glide functional trainer and “Smith” (weight training) machine in addition to soft Plyo box sets, a collection of boxes of different heights used for plyometric exercises (which are quick explosive movements — primarily jumps and bounds to improve power, speed and strength) and other functional and training tools.
“The equipment in this room is comparable to, and in some areas exceeds, those of a typical Division III college,” said Director of Athletics Tim Bult. “The district has made a significant investment in the physical fitness and wellbeing of all students with this room renovation and the forthcoming cardio fitness center. We should keep in mind that our middle school and elementary students will eventually enter this building and use this equipment as well. This state-of-the-art weight room will serve us well for many years.”
During the informal visits, the physical education faculty, Board members and students took a close look at the equipment, with some trying out some features at the different stations. However, formal training for each piece of equipment is part of a forthcoming professional development plan for the physical education faculty and coaching staff.
“This is really going to make a positive difference in students’ fitness,” Board of Education President William Cooper told students. “The Board is very much looking forward to hearing everyone’s feedback once this room gets busy.”
Board Vice President Anthony Monaco added: “Once the cardio room is complete, these combined areas will offer the best opportunities to students. This is important to us and we’re happy the first of these two areas is now available for student use.”