New Community Fitness Center Opens in Blackstone Square
Boston University has completely transformed the Blackstone Community Center’s 2,000-square foot fitness center into a state-of-the-art fitness facility with treadmills, bikes, free weights and squat racks.
The new Boston University Fitness and Wellness Center is part of a new public health initative with Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and the Boston Centers for Youth & Family (BCYF) to fund three projects over the next five years at a value of more than $ 1.25 million.
Mayor Thomas Menino, BU President Robert A. Brown, and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission Barbara Ferrer were all in the South End on Tuesday morning to dedicate the new fitness center.
The idea behind the facility is to provide South End community students and families a place to get active and work out. Boston Public Health Commission executive director Barbara Ferrer noted at the dedication that more than 35 percent of Boston youths are already classified as obese. The new facility will be staffed with BU employees and students in BU’s Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and will not only offer exercise programs, but wellness and nutrition as well.
Things to Know in the South End Today: Menino Dedicates BU Fitness Center at Blackstone Community Center
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a partly cloudy day with a high of 47 degrees. It’s too early to be spring, but after last weekend, we’ll take it.
2. BU Fitness Center Dedication: Mayor Menino will be in the neighborhood today to dedicate the BU Fitness Center at Boston Centers for Youth & Families’ Blackstone Community Center (50 West Brookline St.) along with BU President Dr. Robert A. Brown. BU is partnering with the City of Boston to pilot a three-part health and wellness initiative, and will invest nearly $ 1.25 million over the next five years.
3. Art Exhibit: NK Gallery (450 Harrison Ave.) is currently showing The Paintings of Paul Walcott 2010- 2012. The show features abstractions in multi-media ranging from intimate in scale to wall size. The paintings have been said to be unfathomable in depth and intricately emanate light. The seem at once effortless and immediate, and utterly complex. See here for more information.
Things to Know in the South End Today, Feb. 4th: babyYOGA at Community Music Center of Boston
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a mostly sunny day with a high of 34 degrees.
2. babyYOGA: Bring your baby or toddler to this Community Music Center of Boston (34 Warren Ave.) integrated music and yoga class to combine physical exercise with soothing relaxation techniques for both you and your child. Classes run on Mondays and Fridays at 9 a.m., and it costs $ 15 to drop in. See here for more information.
3. Drop in at Coco Baby: Drop by Coco Baby (1636 Washington St.) with your kids at 3 p.m. today and enjoy our toys, arts & crafts, and musical instruments. The play space provides children with an area to explore their creative sides, interact with others their own age, and get out all that excess energy. Cost is $ 8 per visit. See here for more information.
4. School Proposals: The Boston Public Schools’ External Advisory Committee is meeting tonight to discuss the three new school choice models that include everything from the creation of smaller zones to the abolition of the zones altogether. Attend the meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Orchard Gardens K-8 School, (906 Albany St.)