Summer may be in session at Brooklyn College, but the campus is far from empty.
Alex Lang, the associate director of Athletics at the college, says many community members utilize the campus' facilities year-round.
“Fitness is a very important thing. We see it firsthand here where some of our community members will thank us for the opportunity to be able to live a healthy life because they have access to these facilities. And it's great," said Lang.
Members get access to the pool, a track, racquetball courts, tennis courts, a basketball court and a fitness room.
Members like Peter Piegari say it's a rare and affordable find in Brooklyn.
“It's hard because some gyms are very expensive. And they also are more limited facilities, like, they don't have an adequate pool to do laps," said Piegari.
Lang says the facilities being open to not just students but also the community makes it more than just a school, but also a community hub.
“It's great to have the community to be able to access some of our facilities. Not only, you know, Brooklyn College, big for the borough of Brooklyn in terms of the academics we offer here. But, you know, working in athletics for 20-plus years here, I've gotten to know a lot of community members who've used our facilities," said Lang.
For former student-athlete turned member Allen Markdakhayev, Brooklyn College has become more than just a place he got his degree, but a place to stay healthy.
“It just honestly just feels more at home to me. I think that's just what keeps the mind and the soul, you know, young. And this, doing that throughout the course of your life, they'll make a real impact in, you know, community and, just society as a whole," said Markdakhayev.