A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Creighton University on October 4 for the grand opening of its newly renovated Kiewit Fitness Center. The project, led by Jason Thornton, the director of Recreation and Wellness, came into existence after 16 years of the old pool area being closed. The space has since been transformed into a modern, accessible fitness facility that triples the previous workout space for students and faculty.
For Thornton, the driving force behind the renovation was clear: more space was needed to accommodate the university’s growing student population. The renovation has added 11,200 square feet of additional area.
“Having this space is important,” said Thornton. “Not unlike other institutions, we have populations that don’t really want to be in this space because it’s intimidating. Having more space where they aren’t feeling like they’re being watched all the time is really important.”
Meeting Student Needs
The renovation wasn’t just about adding more space — it was about creating a welcoming environment for all students. Creighton’s student body is highly engaged with the campus recreation department. Thornton emphasized the importance of listening to their needs.
One way the department did this was surveying students on equipment they’d like to see. As a result, the new facility includes modern fitness equipment with duplicates of popular machines. The addition of cardio technology that guides students through workouts helps alleviate some of the uncertainty for newcomers.
Along further expanding the weight and cardio areas, the renovation includes two new golf simulators, adding a unique dimension to the fitness offerings at Creighton. “It’s a cool way to access a population we haven’t been able to open up to,” explained Thornton. “We live in Omaha, Nebraska, and it gets cold in November. People like to golf here, and now we can do things like reservations, tournaments and programs. We can get more people involved, and it’s a cool way to hit all different areas of recreation.”
Making the Facility Accessible to the Creighton Community
Thornton and his team also worked to make the facility more accessible and sustainable. Previously, students had to navigate through multiple doors and elevators to reach the welcome desk, creating a disjointed experience. The renovation addressed this by relocating the welcome desk and adding ADA-compliant features, making the space easier to navigate for all students.
“It’s pretty demoralizing to want to use a space, but to do so you have to go down an elevator, cross five courts and open multiple doors,” explained Thornton. “It just makes sense to make it more accessible.”
Looking Ahead
Overall, this new space will play a pivotal role in the health and fitness journey of Creighton students. Thornton is excited about the university’s investment in well-being and the role his department plays in fostering a healthy, engaged campus community.
“I’m excited for the students who get to use this space and how it will help them be healthier, well individuals,” expressed Thornton. “Hopefully, we’ll also get some new folks in the building. Of all the places I’ve worked, Creighton is where we’ve been most involved with campus initiatives. We’re not just the rec department that does their own thing — we’re integrated into student life. It’s good to see we’re valued here.”
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