PORTAGE | Residents who don't want to brave the cold temperatures for a morning jog, yet are still determined to not break New Year's resolutions are flocking to the Portage High School field house.

Carl Hensley, the facility's athletic director, said between 150 and 200 people roam the track, shoot hoops on three basketball courts and use fitness room equipment on a daily basis.

"We've got regulars that come most every day. We see a lot of new faces, too," Hensley said.

Use of the 46,745-square-foot facility is free to Portage Township residents, a pledge made by School Board members when the facility opened to the public in September. The track features a textured rubber floor, and the fitness room has 12 treadmills, 10 elliptical machines and six stationary bicycles that people can use without the pressure of some traditional health clubs.

"No one is going to lay out a plan for you here. All we do is when someone new comes in, one of the fitness room attendants goes through a quick orientation," Hensley said. "We just want to create a positive atmosphere."

Aside from the evening sessions four nights a week, the facility is also open weekday mornings from 5:30 to 7 a.m. Hensley said the early-bird session isn't anywhere as crowded as the evening times, with many of the seniors who formerly roamed the high school's halls now walking the field house track. The facility also has weekend hours that have been know to draw crowds.

Hensley said that as a school facility, student needs have priority. With spring sports kicking off next month, the facility will adjust its hours for the month of March, cancelling night hours. Hensley said weeknight hours should return before the facility closes for the summer.