(Above) Elizabeth, a Marina City resident, uses an ascent trainer early Friday evening in the new west tower fitness room. (Below) Wider view. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

October 23, 2009 – Two ascent trainers, two cycles, and four treadmills were installed on the 20th floor of the west residential tower in recent weeks, the final pieces in an almost year-long project to build new fitness and laundry rooms in the west tower, then renovate the same space in the east tower.

To access the fitness room, residents must first sign a four-page waiver, protecting Marina Towers Condominium Association from liability.

The project was announced last November. Instead of a fitness room, the east tower will get a new MTCA meeting room. The west tower was chosen for the fitness room because, according to residential property manager David Gantt, there was more support for it from west tower residents.

Along with replacement of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, the project will cost the condo association $435,000. The plan was not without critics, from some residents and former MTCA board members.

Construction started in June, with the west tower laundry room closed for ten weeks. The new laundry room opened on September 4 and finishing touches were made to the fitness room next door over the following few weeks.

The fitness room is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

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