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The Chen Center
(Athletic and Wellness Center)

Soleil Can and Simone Sadowski

       On September 3, 2024, the Portledge community proudly welcomed The Chen Center, also known as the Athletic and Wellness Center, to the school. The newly constructed center, which includes science and math classrooms, a weight room, a basketball court, a yoga studio, a student lounge, and athletic team locker rooms, is not only an upgrade from Wellington Gym, but also a facility that encourages students, faculty, and staff to focus on their physical and mental well-being. ​

       The weight room, open from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, promotes physical activity for students and faculty and offers them access to high-quality athletic equipment. Accommodations include treadmills, exercise bikes, weights, medicine balls, and rowing machines, and most notably, our own athletic trainer Mr. Michael Powers, who teaches health classes and helps injured student-athletes heal and recover.  PE classes are held in the weight room, basketball courts, and yoga studio, and students who want to exercise on their own time are motivated to use this room– with permission of the athletic faculty. 

​       The new basketball court allows for multiple teams to practice simultaneously, as the Wellington gym is still in use alongside the courts in the Chen Center. The courts hosted the Pep Rally, where athletic teams were celebrated, and most recently welcomed an alumni speaker for the Veterans Day Assembly. With the new basketball season approaching, the JV and Varsity Girls and Boys teams welcome Portledge students and faculty to attend games and show support for the players!

​       In addition to these new features, the Chen Center has also added brand new locker rooms, which give athletes more room to leave their equipment and change before their practices and games. The new locker rooms are modern, spacious, and a favorite addition to Portledge for many student-athletes.

      Overall, the Athletic and Wellness Center offers a relaxing, comfortable, and safe space for students to take necessary mental health breaks, unwind, and talk with their classmates during their free periods.  The new building has been a great addition to Portledge, building connections between students and strengthening the Portledge community. 

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