Photos are from students in COMM 1318 Photography 1; featured photo by Jayden Morris
It might be 11 degrees outside, but it’s warm inside the SPC Texan Dome. And that’s probably why, on any given morning, you’ll find several people walking the upper level of the Dome for exercise.
On the Thursday morning before the recent snow storm, Levelland residents Judy Whisenant and Amy Alexander donned their walking shoes and circled the Dome for about an hour.
Whisenant says they walk here almost five days a week when it’s cold outside. “We normally have another gal with us,” she says, “but she had something to do today, so.”
Both women say they walk for their health. “I do it with partners,” Alexander says, “because it helps me be accountable to do this.
Another local walker, Irene Gomez, picked up some speed as she circled the Dome the same morning.
She passed Whisenant and Alexander a few times.
Then, she slowed down so all three could walk and chat together.
Gomez says she comes to the Dome to walk at least an hour every day. Sometimes, she says, it’s crowded in the mornings.
“It’s a very safe and comfortable environment to be at,” she says, “and I think we’re very lucky to have a facility like this to come to.”
Is the Dome open to students as well as community member walkers? Yes.
But Dee Anna Ninemire, the director of the SPC Physical Fitness Center, says she doesn’t know if all students are aware of the opportunity.
“We tell our students,” she says, “but many don’t even know we have a fitness center.”
The SPC Fitness Complex is featured via a link on the bottom of school’s main webpage.
Students are invited to check out where and when they can work out.
Inside the Dome, signs are posted showing 7.5 laps around the upper perimeter equals one mile.
Signs also show which direction to walk on which days.
“Study after study has proven students perform better in the classroom and report less depression and anxiety when they are active,” Ninemire says. “Walking is an easy way to do that.”
Whisenant says she and her friends usually walk until they run out of things to talk about.
“Absolutely enjoy it,” she says. “But I can tell you it’s as much for mental health. Because we get a lot of therapy with each other.”
So, even if you’re stuck indoors, unless the school is closed, there’s no excuse. Ninemire would suggest putting on your walking shoes.
“Even if someone has 10-15 minutes to spare,” Ninemire says, “walking would be better than sitting!”
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