The new state-of-the-art Kinesiology and Athletic Complex opened late in the fall of 2019 and has been available to students and student athletes at the Los Medanos College Pittsburg campus since then. As a result of the pandemic, however, and a smaller number of on-campus classes and students than usual, usage has been lighter than expected. 

The KAC, as it is known, is a one-story installation located across the pathway from the Math building and just behind the gymnasium and is available to student athletes and students who are enrolled in KNACT 110: Fitness Center — Training.

“Our student athletes have one of the nicest facilities in Northern California,” said trainer Brian Powelson.

He added that not only is the sports med clinic benefitting from the new facility, but athletes have access to “state of the art equipment that they can use to get ready for their respective seasons.”

LMC didn’t always have these amenities. The KAC was part of the project that started back in 2017 to build a new student center and a new sports complex.

“It’s a facility that very few community colleges have,” said conditioning coach Gene Mirra.

LMC football’s Chris Nelson explained that the team now has access to many more resources.

“We used to be working out in two portables, now we’re in this nice gym every day,” he said.

Mirra elaborated on the upgrade.

“It’s a night and day difference,” he said, “the old facility had holes in the floor and the equipment was outdated. It feels like a real facility with the brand-new equipment.”

He added that while the athletes, and others who enroll in KNACT 110, are taking advantage of everything the new building has to offer, not enough students are signing up to use the beautiful new facility and its equipment.

Nelson encourages his fellow Mustangs — and others — to enroll in the fitness class and get a workout.

“Students can take the fitness class and receive 1 credit! You can work out as long as you want and get credit for it.”