Louise ISD's new fitness center a hit
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

Louise ISD's new fitness center is a hit so far, not only with students but with the Louise community.

""We're getting our bang out of our buck," Superintendent Andy Peters told the district's trustees last week "The kids are using it (and) there's always people there during our public hours."

Peters said the main holdup to extended public hours is installation of a card-entry locking system. The installation company has stalled, and Peters said he'd go to another company if the work on the $2,000-to- $3,000 system doesn't happen soon.

The district created the center, at a cost of about $57,000, to accommodate fitness gear it bought with a $200,000 federal grant for physical education equipment in the old gym.

At the beginning of April, the center had its "soft opening," with equipment available during limited hours under the watch of district personnel.

The community will be able to use the fitness center for $60 per quarter per person, or $100 per quarter for two adults from the same home, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. once the key entry system is installed except when in use by the district.

Use of the facility will be free for district employees, and their spouses may use the center for $30 per quarter. Louise ISD students from the junior high and high school may use the center for free, but must be accompanied by an adult.