With members of the seminary community gathered in eager anticipation, His Beatitude The Most Blessed Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), took the opportunity during his first official visit to St. Vladimir's as its President and ruling bishop to bless the new gym facility. Concurrent with his blessing, the gym was officially opened, and immediately made available for use on Friday, November 29.
"This gym has been a dream of generations of students who have passed through SVOTS," noted Theodore Bazil, associate chancellor for Advancement. "Finally by the grace of God, and the generosity of many, we are ready to accept this gift provided for the health and benefit of the SVOTS community."
"I especially want to thank the members of the Board of Trustees who contributed $1000 each in support of this long awaited on campus exercise area," noted The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO. "The physical side of a healthy and balanced life has been difficult for many here to maintain, because of high cost and distance to convenient exercise facilities. Now we have our own first class gym."
On Friday morning, November 30, Joseph Namee (cousin of SVOTS Board of Trustees member Eric Namee), accompanied by his family, traveled to campus from Austin, TX, to view the state–of–the–art exercise equipment. The Joseph Namee family generously donated the workout machines and arranged for their shipping and assembly in the Annex Building; the area formerly housed the Women's Dorm and is 1600 square feet. The comprehensive collection includes: 2 four–tiered cable pulley systems, 1 Iso–Lateral bench press, 1 Iso–Lateral rowing system with separate Iso–Lateral high row, 1 Iso–Leg press, interlocking rubber flooring, a full complement of graduated dumbbells, a stationary aerobic bike, 2 high performance aerobic stationary running treadmills, and other equipment.
The gym, which is available for all students, faculty, and staff and their spouses, will remain open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday, except during divine services or during other officially scheduled campus activities.
