Louise News, 79, begins the long walk back to her vehicle after attending a Sept. 30 senior water aerobics class in the fitness center at the Community College of Baltimore County-Catonsville. Like many other seniors in the class, News has had to park across campus from the gym after a number of parking spaces designated for people with disabilities were eliminated by the construction of a new library. Members of the class said they contacted local legislators and CCBC officials and said several more parking spaces specifically designated for people with disabilities were available early this week. Until Monday, members of the morning class, who range in age from 64 to 90, had been getting more of a workout than the class provided because they had to park so far away on the South Rolling Road campus. Many had to park by the tennis courts on the outskirts of the parking lot, which for some seniors can mean a 15-minute walk. One senior, who said she has been in the class for 12 years, said last week that she arrived at 9 a.m. so she could find a space a reasonable distance away. She said she would sit in her car doing crossword puzzles and reading until she saw a vacant space. Another class member said she noticed only 23 people attended a 10:10 a.m. class last week. Usually, 35 to 40 attend the class, which meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Construction of the library, a $17 million project, began in March. But the effect wasn't felt until class began in late August.

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