Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Austin Walters sits at the front desk of Gogebic Community College's Lindquist Center Thursday morning waiting to check people into the facility.
By CHARITY SMITH
Bessemer - The Gogebic Community College Lindquist Student Center reopened on Monday. The center had been closed for public use since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. The center offers a venue for the public to walk, lift weights, and use the gym.
"We're getting the community back in," said Erik Guenard, vice president of business services at GCC. "The walking track has been the main source of what we're seeing for people visiting the Lindquist Center, so that's been a positive."
Since it reopened, Guenard said at least 50 people a day are using the walking track, but usually only eight to 10 people at a time, adding the busiest times are early morning and around lunchtime.
Under the governor's restrictions, the track is only available for up to 20 people at a time. There is no fee to use the walking track.
The weight room is available for a small fee, but only two people are permitted in that space at a time. "We're happy to have it open. It's been closed for quite some time and we are very grateful to the residents of Gogebic County and our surrounding counties for understanding and being patient with us," Guenard said. "We're glad to see them back in there and working on their wellness."
The Lindquist Center is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m .; Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m .; and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.
