Sept. 29, 2014
Kyle Guthrie
[email protected]
With the expansion on the way, the Recreation Center still boasts an array of sporting and recreational events for students.
The building, which opened in 2007, is meant to provide the campus and students with diverse programs as well as educational experiences to support the development of a healthy mind, body and spirit.
Students utilize as much of the amenities such as the pool, climbing wall and gym as they can. The two full-sized basketball courts that dominate a large part of the first floor see a lot of use.
However, that’s not the only option students utilize.
“Weights,” said Chad Liscar, a senior working toward his degree in strength and conditioning. “I’m just here for weight training.” According to Rec Center employees, weight training and swimming are two of the fastest growing activities offered.
“A lot of students will come in here for weight training,” said front desk staffer Andrew Wiens. “We will typically run out of most of the weight lockers upstairs pretty quickly. I tend to also see a lot of people coming into the center for swimming.”
In addition to hosting amateur swimmers throughout the day, the pool also hosts pool parties and inner-tube water polo during the year. Some days and times are busier than others at the Rec Center.
“I notice that on Fridays we get a lot of participants during class transitions,” said Weins. “Monday through Thursday we will usually see an upstart of students between the hours of 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. During that time I usually see somewhere between 40 and 45 students come through each hour.”
Other options at the Rec Center include:
– An indoor track for those looking to get in a run.
– The new soccer field on the parking garage structure serves as another outlet for running and satisfies those wishing to feel grass under their feet.
– Laid back games such as ping pong and a foosball table are available in the lobby.
– Multipurpose meeting rooms and studios are available for use along with equipment checkout at the front desk.
Planners hope to have the expansion to the facility completed in time for the fall 2015 semester.