The Syracuse University Fitness Center at Marshall Square Mall: A benchmark for accessibility

Abstract

The Department of Recreation Services at Syracuse University has continued to meet the needs of its diverse campus population, providing a variety of programs and services. On August 27, 2007, the first day of classes for the fall semester, it opened the fifth campus fitness facility equipped with state of the art exercise machines available to the entire university community. Unlike many fitness facilities at institutions of higher learning, the Syracuse University Fitness Center at Marshall Square Mall was developed to ensure easy and convenient access and use by individuals with disabilities. This document focuses on the planning and development of a master plan for the facility including steps to ensure the environment met and exceeded American Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, providing for an all-inclusive fitness center.