Purdue University Northwest plans for campus fitness center use to accommodate growing athletics programs
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced that as the campus community and the PNW Athletics programs grow, the university is making changes to the use of its on-campus fitness center in Hammond.
Beginning Oct. 1, the Fitness and Recreation Center on the Hammond campus will exclusively serve PNW students, faculty and staff and will discontinue public and alumni memberships.
This strategic transition reflects a broader effort to enhance campus wellness and accommodate the expanding needs of the PNW campus community. PNW is currently constructing an additional campus residence hall on the Hammond campus and is launching two more varsity athletic programs, Women’s Flag Football and Women’s Ice Hockey. With increasing use from current PNW students and 22 varsity athletic teams with more than 500 student-athletes, the demand for space to exercise and train in the PNW Fitness Center in Hammond continues to grow.
“Health and wellness are important components of the student, faculty and staff experience at PNW,” said Rick Costello, director of Athletics. “With a growing residential student population and the expansion of athletic teams, the transition at the Hammond campus fitness center allows Purdue Northwest to continue to prioritize the well-being of students, faculty and staff while they exercise and train. In addition, there are a growing number of publicly accessible fitness facilities available for community members to explore, including the large, new Hammond Family YMCA.”
Current public members at the Fitness and Recreation Center will be able to use the facility until Sept. 30. The university will work closely with each member to ensure a smooth transition and provide prorated refunds as appropriate for those members.
With a growing residential student population and the expansion of athletic teams, the transition at the Hammond campus fitness center allows Purdue Northwest to continue to prioritize the well-being of students, faculty and staff while they exercise and train.
Rick Costello, director of Athletics
Staff from the Hammond Family YMCA, which is located at 6532 Indianapolis Boulevard, will be visiting the PNW Hammond Fitness and Recreation Center over the next several weeks to share information about YMCA membership and the wide range of classes and facilities, including an aquatics center, large wellness center and gymnasiums.
The PNW Fitness Center on the Westville campus will remain open to public memberships.
Frequently Asked Questions
As demand increases from students and student-athletes, Purdue Northwest is shifting access to prioritize students, faculty and staff. With the continued growth of PNW’s NCAA Division II athletic program, including the addition of new varsity sports, this change ensures we can meet the evolving needs of the university community.
Public memberships will end on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. Public members may continue to access the facility through this date.
Yes. All public members with remaining time on their membership beyond Sept. 30, 2025, will receive a prorated refund. The Fitness Center staff will contact each member individually to facilitate the process.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, access will be limited to current PNW students, faculty and staff.
After Sept. 30, 2025, only current PNW students and employees will be eligible to participate in fitness classes and wellness events at the Fitness and Recreation Center.
Yes. Current capacity allows for students, faculty, staff and public members to exercise and train in a safe manner in the PNW Fitness Center at the Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex on the Westville campus.
There are many excellent fitness facilities available to families in and near the Hammond community. These include:
- Crossroads YMCA facilities throughout Lake County, including a large new facility in Hammond
- Planet Fitness in Hammond, Highland, Schererville and other locations in Lake County
- Lincoln Center in Highland
- Anytime Fitness locations throughout Lake County
Please contact Fitness Center staff at (219) 989-2540