A new fitness center on the Shady Side Academy senior school campus will provide students with a state-of-the-art athletic facility.

The 3,500-square-foot center opened today and is housed on the ground floor of the Curry-Mellon Gymnasium building.

It features new and updated cardio, speed and agility equipment like treadmills, ellipticals and Theraband stations. There is rehab equipment, like medicine balls, as well as flat-screen TVs, surround-sound stereo and WiFi.

Cost to renovate the former wrestling room and buy new equipment was about $200,000.

Renovations include new rubber floors, glass doors, an acoustic suspended ceiling, new HVAC system, dimmable LED lights with occupancy sensors, security cameras and access-controlled entrance.

School Communications Director Jen Roupe said the center is a significant upgrade to the old weight room, known as “The Pit,” a 2,400-square-foot room with limited equipment.

It will be staffed and open for walk-in use by students from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on school days and 2:30-4:30 p.m. on weekends. It also will be open by appointment with a coach or trainer. Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Chuck DiNardo will work with coaches and student-athletes from the Senior and Middle schools to develop customized workout plans.

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tawnyatrib.

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