When Claudia Miksen told leaders at Reading (Mass.) Memorial High School that she wanted to donate funds to benefit student-athletes at her alma mater, it took very little time to identify the fitness center as the facility most in need of renovation. It took even less time to choose Matrix as the equipment manufacturer.
“I set up an appointment with Matrix to come and meet the team, and from there things got rolling very quickly, without any glitches. It was fabulous to work with Matrix,” says Miksen, a Reading alum who was first introduced to Matrix when they worked on her condominium association project the year prior.
Miksen, along with Reading superintendent Thomas Milaschewski and assistant principal Thomas Zaya, began conversations in the summer of 2025. By December, Matrix and Reading facilities crews began construction, and the project was completed this past January. The fitness center upgrades capped off a series of renovations to Reading’s field house, including the track, bleachers and backboards.
“The previous fitness center was great when it was built, but [it] was tired,” explains Zaya, adding that the upgrades from Matrix were a breath of fresh air.
“We were collectively impressed with what Matrix did and that it was like one-stop shopping,” says Miksen. “They provided us with plans, layouts and all the tools we needed to make a decision. Our decision was to go with Matrix."
“I would do it again, and I would do it with Matrix. I would spend even less time thinking about it, because they were awesome. They checked every box,” says Milaschewski.
The fitness center is now outfitted with Matrix cardio and strength equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, Virtual Training Cycles, ClimbMills, Total Body Cycles, selectorized strength machines and Magnum MX squat racks — all branded with Reading’s logo and colors.
“We wanted this to be broad-based, so that it would attract students who may not necessarily go into a gym, but also high-level scale for those very serious athletes,” Miksen says. “It’s really soup to nuts.”
Milaschewski added that since the renovation, the fitness center has seen more traffic than ever. “We’ve already seen more students using the weight room every day, both varsity athletes and students who aren’t involved in athletics,” he says. “The pride they have in their school when they’re able to use that space is huge.”
Reading has a student population of just over 1,000, and a long, rich history of athletics excellence. With the fitness center renovation, Miksen, Milaschewski and Zaya agree, Matrix has elevated the school’s facilities to the collegiate level.
Says Miksen, “Matrix really brought Reading High School a collegiate-level program. So many kids are going to benefit from this, and I would highly recommend anyone to reach out to see what Matrix can bring to the table, because they’ve certainly done a fabulous job in Reading.”
“I can’t say enough good things about their work,” adds Milaschewski. “We work with so many vendors, but I can’t think of many others that have had the same level of service, passion, dedication and communication that Matrix did.”
With the fitness center project complete, one of Milaschewski’s lasting goals will remain uplifting the community, as he, Zaya and Miksen identify other spaces in the high school that could benefit from a refresh.
“Dream big about what the space can be,” Milaschewski advises. “Get feedback from those who are closest to the space, and celebrate and communicate what you’re trying to do. I thought this would be well received by the community, but I didn’t realize just how many people would come in throwing support, enthusiasm and excitement around this project.”