GROVE CITY — Grove City Area School District is raising money to renovate its high school fitness center.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Joshua Weaver said the renovations are needed because “our existing fitness center is undersized based on our programs, and our equipment is in rough shape.”

“It has been an identified need for quite some time,” he said.

The district has raised $54,250 as of Jan. 6 but is still seeking to raise $90,750 to reach its goal of $145,000. This will be used to pay for cardio machines, strength training areas, specialized fitness stations, group class, team training and wellness workshop space and accessibility design elements, according to the district’s website.

The website states the school’s fitness center renovations will create an enhanced learning environment, promote lifelong health, support extracurricular activities and promote community engagement.

“A well-equipped fitness center will provide our students the resources to engage in regular physical activity, which is proven to enhance cognitive function and academic performance,” the website states. “By fostering positive fitness habits and offering a variety of physical activities, we aim to install a lifelong commitment to health and wellness in our students. Our sports teams and extracurricular clubs will benefit from having a dedicated space for training and conditioning, leading to improved performance and reduced injury risk. The fitness center has the potential to be a resource for community members, providing a venue for events, programs and partnerships that promote health and fitness for all.”

The district is not only accepting monetary donations but also accepting volunteer support and offering donor recognition.

The renovations are set to begin in March.

LEARN MORE about the project and donate at www.gcasdk12.org