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The University of North Georgia's (̨Íåswag) Dahlonega Campus Recreation Center has undergone strategic changes to enhance the experience of members.

"Campus Recreation and Wellness plays a vital role in well-being, and wellness is a huge, critical part of what we do," Derek Leonard, executive director of Campus Recreation and Wellness and student facilities, said. "We felt the investment in the upgrade was vital to our students and members. We are a very big source of community and having state-of-the-art equipment and state-of-the-art facilities plays a role in that."

The facility opened in October 2008, and this is its first upgrade. Leonard said changes include new equipment, new branding and fresh paint.

"Our new machines have a QR code on them so all you have to do is scan the code on your phone, and it will show you a demonstration video that includes how to warm up, how to use the machine and how to modify it," Leonard said. "We also train our staff on how to use everything in the building, so members can ask a staff member."

The facility also offers a variety of group exercises classes led by nationally-certified individuals who includes students, faculty and community members. Personal training is also available.

"Everyone in here is on common ground. They enjoy fitness, personal wellness and getting physically fit. They enjoy being around like-minded individuals," Leonard said. "We've created an environment here that's welcoming to all. We really are a community for everyone."

Leonard said the center serves populations anywhere from 17 years old to 80s and 90s, and the equipment is just as diverse.

"The biggest thing we see is a lot of community-building between faculty and staff and students," Leonard said. "It's cool when a student sees their professor here working out. There's an interaction that's not student-teacher, just two folks with a common goal interacting. We see that a lot."

Abbie Lastinger from Cumming, Georgia, experienced firsthand being at the center with a professor.

"It was funny because you only see them in the classroom and they step into your environment and you're like, 'Oh my goodness, they're involved in fitness,'" Lastinger, a senior pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in business psychology and fine art, said. "It's cool."

The center provides a sense of community among students, too.

Lastinger's workout partner Jana Hornsey, a senior from Dawsonville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in English with a writing and publication concentration, said she runs into her friends a lot in the facility.

"It's a sense of community," Hornsey said.

The two work with free weights most visits and both were very impressed by the branded equipment.

"These are awesome, I really like the Nigel branding and the grips," Lastinger said.

A wellness-focused facility is a great draw for students who like to see what offerings exist outside classrooms. It shows the value, support and emphasis ̨Íåswag places on students as an institution, Leonard said.

Tammy Daniel, custodial supervisor, has been working her self-created program faithfully since the center opened in 2008. The equipment change will impact her routine.

"I love the way it looks," Daniel said. "I'm a creature of habit, and the new equipment will take a little getting used to. It's a tremendous improvement and looks really good."