Over the past five years, University Recreation has been making big changes.
While the improvements continue, the face and infrastructure of University Recreation as a whole is making room for more student benefits.
Currently Carmichael, or the “old gym” as it’s referred to, is undergoing drastic and expansive construction changes that will create a larger, more open entrance area, a new cardio room with added equipment and flat screen televisions, and a renovated weight room with new machines.
According to Eric Horth , junior in marketing and a facility manager, the changes to the older gym will be very pleasing for students.
“They’ve really been doing a lot to improve the facilities. And they’ll only continue to get better,” Horth said.
The construction and renovations began in late 2011 and are expected to be completed and open for student use in late April.
In addition to housing new equipment, the remodeled area will contain improved locker room facilities and will make better use of the cardio and strength-training space.
Though fees and expenses are often a subject of concern for students, Horth said University Recreation actually has lower fees than that of other recreation facilities at universities of the same size.
He said the fees are relatively low for all the options available throughout the two buildings and playing fields.
During the 2007-2008 school year, students were given more options for cardio workouts and strength training with the opening of the Recreation Center. With three stories, multiple studio rooms, and a hefty addition of workout equipment, the Recreation Center provided students longer hours and a greater selection of fitness plans.
Laura Sharpe, senior in fashion brand management and a facility manager, said the Recreation Center gives students a wide variety of health and fitness activities. She said students not only have a large area of cardio and weight equipment, but also studio rooms for PE and group fitness classes.
Sharpe said students can also use the studio rooms recreationally when classes are not using them.
“We really try to cater to the student population and provide for a lot of different interests at the same time,” Sharpe said.
In addition to working out, whether solo or in a group setting, Sharpe said students and members have full access to the fitness suite where they can get massages, sign up for personal training sessions and even get a body fat screening test.
She said the fitness suite has a full staff of customer service specialists, certified trainers and licensed massage therapists to meet all the needs of students and members.
While the majority of patrons are students, University Recreation also has a significant number of other members who have many options as well.
When it comes to memberships, University Recreation has between eight and 10 different types ranging from student and faculty/staff households to university affiliates and alumni memberships.
Emily Bennett, sophomore in biology and a membership services specialist, said student and faculty/staff household memberships are typically the most popular and are renewable.
She said any person who is 18 years or older and lives with a student can have access to the facilities with a household membership. Bennett said the student household memberships are valid for one semester.
Similarly, she said faculty/staff household memberships are available for any person living with a faculty or staff member, and have extended periods and various payment plans.
For students who have visiting family or friends, University Recreation uses guest passes.
“The guest passes are $10 for one day or $15 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Bennett said.
Though a number of improvements have been made and gym members are given many fitness options, Sharpe said there’s always room for more.
“We’re always looking for suggestions about how we can improve,” Sharpe said.