Some locals call it the fitness center and others term it the new weight room. Either way, the vast space that neighbors the Mercer Island High School (MIHS) gym’s hoops courts is already making a massive positive impact on student athletes since the facility’s doors opened on March 4.
“It provides a great environment for every one of all grades to interact and have fun while working out,” said junior Hannah Hsu, captain of the MIHS varsity girls soccer squad.
Added junior MIHS varsity girls soccer player Maggie Blohm: “I’m so thankful that our community came together to make such a big investment in student athletes.”
In an immense community-wide effort led by the MIHS Football Booster Club, donations rolled in from a plethora of Islander athletic squads, the Mercer Island Community Fund, the Mercer Island PTSA and 111 individuals to bring the project to fruition and enhance the outdated facility and give it an official re-branding as the fitness center.
Spearheaded by Eric Myklebust, Scott Rockfeld and Amy Posner Wolff, the fundraiser hauled in $150,000 to go along with the $100,000 utilized from a portion of the capital and technology levy that went toward the installation of new floors in the center.
Covering a 106-by-48-foot section of the MIHS campus, the all-inclusive center is the abode for athletes of all sports and features 10 rigs of new rubberized weights, four pieces of people-powered cardio equipment, kettlebells, pull-up bars, a removable wall between the weight and wrestling areas and more. Mercer Island’s Freedman family — owners of The Fitness Outlet — fully jumped into the partnership with the fundraising group by providing the new equipment at majorly discounted prices.
“We’ve already seen the impact of the new fitness center as attendance to optional team workouts are up across all sports,” said Rockfeld, the MIHS Football Booster Club board president. “It’s great to see kids from sports who would not usually look to weights as an essential part of their training are now using it as a differentiator.”
Myklebust, the former football booster president, said that it was crucial to pound the pavement and get all sports entities involved in the project so that everyone could embrace the center equally.
“We really wanted to send the message that it was a community-wide effort that was spearheaded by the football program, but certainly not for the football program solely. It was for everyone involved, whether you’re a cheerleader, you’re on the dance team, or if you’re a girl soccer player, a basketball player, whatever,” said an excited Myklebust, who added that a huge amount of athletes have been utilizing the facility.
“What we envisioned is absolutely happening right now,” he added. “I love what it stands for and the involvement and the passion that we all have for our community.”
Maximum school district support came from MIHS principal Nick Wold, athletic director Lindsey Blaine, director of maintenance and operations Tony Kuhn and others, said a thankful Muklebust.
Head football coach DJ Mims echoed Myklebust’s comment about the importance of community in this endeavor, adding: “By upgrading and updating our fitness center, our student athletes and community now have a place to be happy about. A place where they can work out, train and develop.”
On the physical education front, MIHS teacher Gavin Cree — who’s also the head boys basketball coach and cross country assistant coach — noted: “Our personal fitness class is able to support teaching students of all skill levels how to strength train safely and effectively, which are critically important to lifelong health and wellness. Kids are buzzing around school about the opportunity to use the space.”
