Recreation members welcomed facility upgrades including added turf spaces and equipment, new and improved track lanes, and refreshed bleachers and spaces after a summer of renovations. 

Jackie Cooney, Supervisor of Fitness and Customer Experience, is passionate about delivering diverse fitness needs and optimizing recreation spaces for MRU Recreation enthusiasts with almost 30 years of experience in the industry.

"The two spaces that we renovated were initiatives that were based on trends, but also necessity and wants," Cooney said. "Every piece of equipment makes sure that people have a well rounded workout to enrich their experience."

Signed, sealed, delivered
Plans for renovations of the fitness areas, including the Indoor Track and Triple Gyms, have been in motion since 2020. The renovation was strategic and a work of collaboration with the goal to improve guest experiences for all MRU Recreation visitors, from students to the surrounding community.

Heather Higgins, Fitness Coordinator, highlighted that the experience and feedback from our members through strategic service quality surveys were key considerations in the renovated spaces, like the second-level track.

"The track level keeps being noted as the second most used space," Higgins said. "There's something for everyone when they come."

Another area people may notice with the renovated spaces is an enhanced turf space experience. 

"People love the turf," Higgins said. "We ended up getting another sled for the second turf that we have."

The turf section is perfect for versatile training, whether you're looking for space to do bodyweight workouts, practice lunges, do ladder runs, or push the sled. "We are excited to introduce indoor flipping tires in November," said Higgins.

The turf is also a great spot for strength and conditioning and partner calisthenic workouts. Utilizing the artificial turf is easier on the joints with the cushioned flooring that absorbs and minimizes shock and pressure from repetitive body movements. 

Eye-catching equipment  
MRU's Fitness Centre boasts a wide range of equipment, including squat racks, bench press benches, accessories like dumbbells and kettlebells, and a variety of cardio machines like treadmills and ellipticals. 

New additions that may become hot commodities are the Reverse Hyperextension for working your glutes and lower back, and the Pendulum Squat Machine, the first of its kind in Calgary. 

"We are the first facility in Canada that has this type of this equipment." Cooney said. "There was excitement around that."

It's not just the equipment that's different, but also the feel of the fitness area with selectorized equipment on the second floor.

"It feels like its own separate room, and creates a bit of privacy and a nice circuit for people," Higgins said. "People have commented how they really enjoy that space."

"Every piece of equipment makes sure that people have a well-rounded workout to enrich their experience when they come to MRU Recreation," Cooney said.