New Bedford High School Exercise Facility Complete

NEW BEDFORD - A new fitness center at New Bedford High School has been completed.

The new center can accommodate up to 70 students at a time, whereas the previous fitness center could barely host twelve people working out.

Thomas Tarpey, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics with New Bedford Public Schools says the new center is "probably one of the best high school facilities in New England."

"If an athlete is really serious about improving their performance in their bodies, this is definitely the place to go. It's up to date, it's state of the art, it's a big space so you can do many different things. We're all just very excited about it."

A portion of the gym of the high school was renovated to host the new fitness center, which boasts twelve half-racks, a turf area for speed and agility training, and much more.

The total cost of the center was $400,000 and will be paid for through the City's Capital Improvement Program. The center will soon be dedicated to New Bedford High School alumnus Bobby Watkins, who played pro-football with the Chicago Bears from 1955 to 1957.