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Students will no longer have to jog around construction signs or see yellow caution tape when going to the Student Recreation Center.
Construction to the expansion of the center, which began in 2007, was nearly completed in November. Wednesday marked the official grand opening and featured speakers such as Glenn Hanley, director of campus recreation, Chancellor Charles Matthews, ASG President Brett Baker and University President Denise Trauth.
Baker said he was pleased to see those in attendance who were part of planning the expansion.
“It’s great seeing everyone come out who’s been a part of this for so many years,” Baker said. “It’s something we’ve needed for a long time, and it’s great for students in general. What we’ve looked forward to is basically having everything open again and getting back to full use on our Rec Center.”
Hanley said the 49,000 square foot, $31 million project would have been impossible without the students. He said the goal was to make the new facility acceptable for them.
“Students no longer have to wait in line for six treadmills. Now we have more than 105 pieces of cardio equipment,” Hanley said.
Jennifer Rea, psychology senior, said she uses the SRC three times per week on average. Rea said she is pleased about no longer having to wait to use exercise equipment.
“When I found out they were going to build a new one, I thought, ‘Awesome! I’m not going to have to wait for a piece of equipment anymore,’” Rea said. “The biggest problem was having to come in and wait or not being able to work out when I wanted to because it was always so packed.”
Matthews said he hopes the SRC will give students the chance to obtain a healthy lifestyle.
“Higher education is not just about the transmission of knowledge. It’s also about physical fitness, virtues and teamwork,” Matthews said. “We want every Bobcat to live a long and healthy life.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed the speakers’ addresses. A reception and tours were given immediately following. Students and guests were welcomed with opportunities to participate in free, group exercise classes, free entrance to the rock wall and a longest-drive contest on the golf simulator, one of the center’s most recent additions. The simulator is located in the former weight room of the original SRC.
Multipurpose rooms, pools and basketball courts are also recent additions. Baker said student possibilities for exercising in the expansion with the new establishments are endless.
“You look at our rock climbing wall, the (fact the) basketball courts that have doubled, you can do anything in this Rec Center,” Baker said.
“It’s just a great asset that we have here at the university. I think it’s amazing for students so far (and) I think it’s going to continue to be amazing for them to be able to come here.”
Baker said he has received nothing but positive feedback from students.
“I think (the feedback from students) has been unbelievable,” Baker said. “People wouldn’t go to the old Rec Center because they couldn’t get in there and actually work out. They were waiting in all the different lines and it was just a big mess in there. But you look at how smooth everything is going right now (and) I think students are very pleased. We’ve got an amazing facility. It’s probably one of the best centers in the whole nation.”
