In at least one way, Dillard students have been able to maintain a normal life at their campus away from campus, thanks to the Health Club by Hilton. The club has opened its facilities to Dillard University students with open arms.
Located on the sixth floor of the Hilton, the facility is equipped with a state of the art weight room, both men’s and women’s locker rooms, a sauna, a whirlpool, a golf studio, indoor tennis, basketball, volleyball, racquetball and squash courts and offers aerobics, spin, pilates and yoga classes.
The gym has designated specific hours of operation just for Dillard students both during the week and the weekend. Monday thru Friday students are allowed to use the facility in various time intervals. They are as followed: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Saturday’s and Sunday’s 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Some students are not particularly happy with the hours of operation for the fitness center. Jonathan Giles, a freshman a Business Management major from Mobile, Ala. is very satisfied with the services, but doesn’t like the hours because they are too few and far between. “The only good time is probably at night because you don’t have anything to do but study, workout, and then go to sleep.”
Amber Boyd, a freshman Political Science major, from Indianapolis, Ind. agrees with Giles, “I’m very unsatisfied with the hours because my first class begins at 9:30 a.m. and my full day doesn’t end until five o’clock and that does not include eating, studying or sleeping. I would prefer if I could use the work out facilities early in morning due to my busy schedule.” Boyd said.
Many students voiced their concerns about why they are only allowed to use the gym at those particular hours; director of Health Club Services Patrick Meuche explained why the hours were structured the way they were. According to Meuche the reason why the hours were constructed this way was to ensure the Dillard students would be able to use the complimentary health club services. The hours designated for the students are the slowest hours of operation for the gym, which creates more space to use the facility.
Meuche said he realizes how important it is to have specific hours of operation separate from the guest’s hours to maintain a level of satisfaction and comfort for everyone. “The health club is open to students during un-designated hours however they would have to pay,” said Meuche. “We really wanted to avoid students having to pay any additional cost. We don’t want the gym to be too crowded and have people not able to get their work out in.” Meuche said. The cost of the gym during un-designated student hours is $10.85 per day.
All the services the club offers are open to the students however; there is an additional fee to use the tennis court, for both students and regular guests. Dillard’s volleyball, basketball and tennis teams have all made use of the gym for practices and workouts. Meuche said he is very satisfied with their decision to open up amenities to students. “I think it was a great idea, one because I know a lot of the students are stuck in those tiny little rooms and I know the students need to get some energy out and de-stress, it gives them the opportunity for them to have a normal life; which was part of the reason why we pushed so hard to get the health club open.”
Some students said they appreciated the club opening its doors to maintain their work out regiment and the Hilton staff is extremely grateful for this opportunity to partner with Dillard administration and students. Information on health club classes and other additions are available at the front desk of the health club.
