ANN ARBOR - Building trades workers are in fine form at the new Washtenaw Community College Health and Fitness Center.

The bright 75,000-square-foot facility's signature feature is a huge open fitness area. Construction began in June and is expected to be complete on Aug. 4. The project is being managed by Granger Construction, the general contractor.

"We're moving along quite well," said Tony Schrauben, site superintendent for Granger. "We have a good crew out here and they're doing a good job." About 30 tradespeople are on the job at any given time.

The fitness center, said a statement from WCC, "is a key component in a campus-wide effort to encourage and support a healthy lifestyle among students," although membership will be open to non-students, too in an effort to compete with other local fitness centers.

The three-story building is constructed with precast concrete with in-laid brick, brick masonry and metal siding. The fitness center includes a gymnasium, two pools, whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms; weight lifting and exercise equipment area; spinning, pilates and yoga rooms, kitchen and lounges; classrooms and child care room.

Constructed over eight acres on the WCC campus, the project is yet another example in Michigan of a building that will seek a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Schrauben said WCC is seeking a LEED platinum standard for the building - one of the highest ratings. "It's a unique building, with all the environmentally friendly features going into it," he said.

Examples of environmentally friendly construction include an advanced pool filtration system impervious pavement and controlled stormwater runoff.

WCC President Larry Whitworth told the student newspaper that the fitness facility "will be an upscale facility but will be appealing to a broad cross-section of our community. I'm anxious to see the project completed, It's one of those things that's fun to see developed."

AN INTERIOR METAL roof panel in the main exercise area of the Washtenaw Community College's Health and Fitness Center is installed by Mike Cope of Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 and Michigan Metal Walls.

A BRIGHTER, WHITER ceiling at the WCC fitness center is made possible through the spray gun of Joe Jianis of Painters Local 213.