Rec Center open to public

[Sergeant Zip]

Rec Center open to public

UA invites public to use campus exercise and wellness facility

by Coda Pritchard

Staff Reporter

The Rec Center has traditionally served the fit and soon-to-be fit students and faculty at the University of Akron.

They may need to wait a little longer to use their favorite piece of equipment.

The Rec Center is now offering its facilities to the local community and UA alumni. According to Roy Ray, vice president of business and finance and chief financial officer, the Rec Center opened to the public to reduce costs and to supplement the budget. "We've only been open a year and we want to optimize the Rec to better serve the students," he said.

The Rec Center features a swimming pool, an indoor track, a fitness floor, table tenis, basketball courts, a weightlifting area and studios that hold aerobics classes.

While the use of the facilities is free for students, the new members will be charged an annual membership fee, which will provide additional revenue to the Rec Center.

The Rec Center will limit membership to 1,000 new individuals to prevent overcrowding. According to the director of Recreation and Wellness, Brian Lewis, 1,000 people may seem like a lot but they are equipped for the addition. Last week, the Rec Center had 2,500 students in one day, and it can accommodate up to 7,500 people.

All of the benefits offered to students in the past will remain. Lewis said he would continue to look for ways to best suit the needs of the students.

"There are 11 managers programming for the students and campus base," he said. Andrew Clevenger, a member of the fitness staff, does not think the students will be bothered by the new members because they will probably come during the early morning and evening hours.

"I doubt the students will notice," he said. "It seems like the public doesn't want to be here when the students are here."

Lawrence Liptack, an accounting student, said the new members won't bother him. "A facility this big that can be opened to the public would provide a nice service to the community," he said.

While some students are concerned about the Rec Center becoming overcrowded, most don't think sharing the space will be a problem.

"It depends on the time of day," senior Mike Archinal said, who frequently visits the Rec Center. "There are times when it's packed."

Overall, sharing the space will not affect the UA campus, he said.

According to Lewis, the Rec Center will remain the students throughout the process of accepting new members.

"Our main mission was, and always will be, for the students."

http://www.buchtelite.com/2005/0908/news_05.shtml

[Zips fan]

Only getting 2500 students when it is built for 7500? Why is the student turnout so low?

[UA Fan]

Probly cause we have so many commuter students that also work full time and don't have time to use it, unfortunately. Making it open to the public should help UA/community relations and get more folks "up close & personal" with Zips athletics. Good idea, IMO. Can't students should be banned, however

[a-zip]

Unbelievable that the girl working out in the picture is wearing a TOLEDO BASKETBALL shirt!

[Zips fan]

Rec center not open to public. The University of Akron does not have community memberships for sale currently. They advertised it, but they didn't have everything approved to sell them. Great job advertising.