Shao-mo Memorial Gymnasium, completed in May 2006, starts to be used officially this academic year. Apart from being the place for teaching, the gymnasium will also be the best ground for all kinds of contests and large-scale gatherings. Two hundred student clubs will move into the gymnasium successively from Sept. 4.
The interior of the gymnasium includes volleyball court, badminton court, basketball court, table tennis rooms, weight training rooms, aerobics classrooms, and the offices of student clubs. From this semester, more than half of the athletics classes can take place in the gymnasium so that the activities will not be influenced by the bad weather condition. Hsieh Hsing-chu, Director of Office of Physical Education, indicates that, “Because the wood floor of the gymnasium is easily scratched and damaged, hence except the areas that are covered with the protection mats and carpets, people who wear leather shoes and high-heel shoes are not allowed to enter the gymnasium. In addition, aside from the offices, the boardroom, and the VIP room, the food and drinks are forbidden, excluding water.”
There are also the health center for sport injuries to help students and staff dealing with injuries and shower rooms to offer a shower for cleaning after exercising. Hsieh said, “The health center for sport injuries will cooperate with the near-by clinics, inviting professional nurse specialist and rehabilitation specialist to provide high quality service to all the students and staffs of TKU.” Hsieh indicates that she would like to popularize the ID card of gymnasium in the school. In the future, people who have this card can freely use the space and facilities of both Shao-mo Memorial Gymnasium and Shao-mo Memorial Natatorium Complex.
All the offices of student clubs are moved to the first floor of the gymnasium. Huang Ku-chen, Secretary of Office of Physical Education, said, “The original close time of the gymnasium is 10:10 p.m., but some of the clubs require more time and expect to postpone the close time of the gymnasium. The school authority is still negotiating.” Huang especially reminds students to watch out for fire and electricity control, and emphasizes that the food-cooking and meat-grilling are strictly prohibited in the club offices. He also hopes that the club members can pay attention to the voice volume when they use the open ground outside the gymnasium and do not disturb the tranquility of the neighborhood, so that the gymnasium can be used with blessing.
The open hour of the gymnasium is 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday to Friday currently. During the week of mid-term and final exams as well as the winter vacation, the close time is 5:00 p.m. As for the summer vacation, the gymnasium will be closed at 4:00 p.m., and it will not open during the night and the holidays. Moreover, from Monday to Friday, as long as the court is not employed by athletic classes or borrowed by others, all the people of TKU are welcomed to use the space and facilities freely. (~ Shu-chun Yen )
