By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Several weeks ago, Hillsboro resident Jessica Craney spoke with Hillsboro High School Activities Director Robert Rempel about the possibility of using the HHS weight room with her son, Cody, and now she can.

Rempel told her the school was trying to make arrangements with Hillsboro Recreation Commission to sponsor hours the weight room would be open to the public. The school and commission were able to make suitable arrangements, so the facility is now open 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

“We’re excited,” Craney said. “(Cody) is trying to lift weights to get in shape for wrestling. You can’t have this variety of equipment at home.”

Recreation Commission member Barbara Nowak uses the weight room with her husband, Chad, and daughter, Bradli.

“We were pretty excited that we could bring a kid in with a parent,” Nowak said. “We work out with our daughter, so this is kind of family time for us, too.”

Chad Nowak volunteered to oversee the open weight room hours to help ensure safety. Volunteering also makes it easier to motivate himself to work out, he said.

He said lifting weights is a good family time alternative to watching television.

Chad Nowak was pleased to see the largest crowd yet on Thursday, and he hopes it can continue to grow.

“It would be great to see 15 people in here,” he said.

Free weights occupy most of the weight room. There are a few weight machines and some cardio machines as well.