"Never had stuff like this before:" New fitness center at Lincoln Center of the Arts thanks to $100K grant



MILWAUKEE -- A brand new gym was unveiled at MPS' Lincoln Center of the Arts after the school landed a grant worth $100,000!

Between the pull-ups, push-ups, step-ups and more -- the energy was dialed up to 11 at the school on Thursday, October 6th.

"I can`t explain how exciting this is. This is exactly what our students need. It really pumps everybody up," Brett Fuller, curriculum specialist for health and physical education for MPS said.



After an assembly with the feel of a pep rally and a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Lincoln Center of the Arts students got to try out their brand new $100,000 fitness center.

"It`s been great. I couldn`t wait to get in here," Perryon Pierce, seventh-grader said.



"We`ve never had stuff like this before," Namia Fairconate, seventh-grader said.

Lincoln Center of the Arts was just one of three schools in Wisconsin out of 100 applicants to receive a grant from the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils.



"Students who are more physically fit do better academically. They do better emotionally and socially," Fuller said.

"Every fitness center that we`ve put in schools, gang violence is down. Teenage pregnancy is down. Test scores go up. It`s simple man," Jake Steinfeld with the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils said.



"It`s important to me, because I play basketball every day. Got to stay fit," Tybearious Purdy, eighth-grader said.

"I think it`s nice because my family, we like to go and play and ride our bikes. Now I can do it at school," Raquel Daniels, seventh-grader said.



 

Lincoln Center of the Arts officials are considering opening the new facility to the surrounding public as well. The principal is looking at schedules that would make the gym available on weekends and after school hours.