By Ryan Broderick
The University’s recreation center takes in 50,000 visitors a year, and even though it’s an important fixture on campus for students, its quality over the years has been declining. In an attempt to bring the rec center up-to-date, the University has decided to completely renovate the complex starting in November.
Unlike other campus renovations, the recreation center will not close completely during its reconstruction. Instead, because of the facility’s high demand, the plan is to renovate each section in segments, keeping what is not being worked on open for students to use.
To improve the recreation center, the University called for numerous updates.
“I just wish they would redo the track,” said Deanna Britton, a freshman who is looking forward to the renovation.
Daron Jackson, a senior international business major, said that he would like to see “more free weights in the weight room and a general upgrade in facilites because they are limiting.”
To address this, and to enhance the overall exercise experience, the University intends to expand the weight room into two floors, updating the machines and replacing the track. There will also be iPod-compatible machines, meant to further enhance the comfort level of the center.
The renovation does not stop at workout equipment. Structurally the University plans to put more windows in, to bring in more light along with a widening of the staircases. In addition, there will be a Wi-Fi-capable lounge and juice bar on the top floor. Observing aesthetics as a common complaint, the University hopes to add more vending machines and screens to adorn the walls around the equipment.
“I’d like to see more rooms and more space,” said Brittany Holmes, a freshman. “When they’re [holding] classes, they take up the whole room. I’d like to see either more rooms or more flexible room times.”
The University also plans to add three new specialized rooms for dance/cheer, yoga, and spinning.
The renovations will not be coming from tuition dollars, according to Pete DiSilvio, the chair of the Student Government Association’s Club Affairs committee. The money to renovate the recreation center was raised separately, he said.
The recreation center is taking suggestions from students so that the University can see if they could address them.
Once renovations end, the University plans to have a fully up-to-date recreation center for students to exercise.
Students, faculty and others using machines in the Recreation Center. The rec center is to be renovated beginning in November, due to complaints about the facility. (Jeff Herman)