Kiyomi Kishaba
Opinion Editor
One week ago, the Names gym bustled with athletes and students grinding to 80’s music blasting over the speakers. On Saturday, March 14th, the gym was silent.
After the initial move to distance learning two weeks prior, the Names gym remained open for teams and general use. Throughout that week, gym workers took safety precautions to maintain a sanitary exercise environment. Junior Nicole Waldron, who worked at the front desk, said they put out spray bottles and rags to encourage gym-goers to clean equipment after use. Janitorial staff also began deep cleaning the space twice a day.
However, once the Northwest Conference made the decision to cancel athletics on March 13th, the gym followed suit and closed its doors out of concern of spreading COVID-19. For athletes, this means not only no more competitions, but no access to strength training.
Seth Koivisto, a member of the men’s swim team, lifted in Names gym five days a week prior to its closure. He recognizes the danger of germs spreading in the gym, and understands why the decision to close the space was made. However, he now has to find alternate ways to stay in shape for next year’s swim season.
“It’s going to be difficult for sure,” said Koivisto. “My housemate and I did a body-weight push-up workout today, but there’s no way we’re gonna be able to lift normally. We just have to make do with what we can, and then get back into it when things reopen.”
As athletes struggle to find other outlets for exercise, Names gym workers mourn the loss of their income source. Waldron and her coworkers realize the importance of keeping the virus from spreading, but like some other student workers on campus, they no longer have a way to make money.
With COVID-19 continuing to wreak havoc around the world, many people are suffering the same loss as PLU’s student workers. As we Lutes start heading home for spring break, let’s do what we can to support and help our communities.
