Sitting on one of Point Loma Nazarene University’s many ocean lookout spots, The Lawrence Ryan Fitness Pavilion stands tall since its summer-long construction wrapped up. On Friday, September 4, it opened up to all PLNU community members. The building resides on Point Loma’s track, where the sea breeze flows and the waves crashing on the beach below are visible.
Rounding up to roughly $2.5 million, the pavilion has been a three-year-long process. According to Viewpoint, it includes “weight-lifting equipment; a 3,400 square foot multipurpose turf area; a 2,500 square foot yoga deck turf area; and a 2,300 square foot outdoor rubber surfaced area.” In short, Vice President for University Services Jeff Bolster said about the pavilion, “we’ve got something for everyone here.”
Bolster said that the Assembled Student Body (ASB) and Student Senate came to him three years ago wanting to reimagine the subpar weight shed nearby to provide more fitness accommodations for non-athletes.
Charlie Hicok, a fourth-year accounting major who served as vice president for ASB and on Student Senate during the time of its planning, described his vision for the fitness pavilion.
“I had always envisioned a place in which students can connect while pursuing physical and mental health, serving as the ultimate space for temple-focused mindsets,” Hicok said.
During the planning process, he gathered insight from the student body on what they want included in the pavilion. Now that it’s done and open, Hicok said “the ultimate goal of serving a major issue students face has been met.”
The pavilion is completely donor-funded, particularly by the Ryan Family Foundation who have named the center after their son Lawrence “Larry” Ryan, a Point Loma graduate who passed away in June.
Around 3 p.m. on its opening day, about 20-30 students were using the facility. Every weight station was occupied inside, and people were sporadically spread out on the turf running through their routine, stretching, and conversing.
Bella Echagarruga, a first-year business management major, did yoga in the sun with her friends on opening day.
“I love that they have this grass part so you can do this here,” Echagarruga said. “But yoga mats would be nice; something that’s not just weight lifting.”
Grace Chaves