A special update on the University’s UREC expansion and redesign was presented at the Student Government’s weekly Student Senate meeting Wednesday night.
Laurie Braden, the director of University Recreation, also announced a new separate UREC facility that will be located on Nicholson Drive, in close relation to the new nutrition building.
The UREC “Express” will be a 9,000 sq. foot fitness facility complete with new cardio and weight equipment, Braden said. The Express facility will also include two separate showering/changing areas, day lockers and space for fitness classes.
The building, which is set to open in 2018, will not require any additional membership fees to join for those already members at the UREC. Braden said they were excited to be able to give students this extra space with no extra cost to them.
In addition to announcing the Express facility, Braden shared new information updating the current status of the UREC. According to Braden, construction reports say the entirety of the project should be done within the next six months. Braden also warns, like in the past, unexpected delays do occur. She also added how appreciative she has been in students’ patience in the process of completing the project.
One piece recently reopened after being under renovation is the indoor swimming pool. The pool, which opened on Sept. 8, has gotten a new look with all new lighting, tiles, pumps, and draining system. The pool remains at eight lanes, 25 yards long, and will now be open during all UREC hours prior to one hour before closing.
Braden said the next piece of the expansion set to open, the East Wing/entrance, will be opening around Oct. 21. This portion of the UREC located closest to the fraternity and sorority houses will include two multipurpose courts, along with a wooden basketball court. The two multipurpose courts will also eventually receive dasher boards along the sides, allowing for sports like indoor soccer to be played. Other additions in the east wing will include yoga and pilates studios and a boxing studio.
One of the last major phases to the newly renovated and expanded UREC, which Braden calls “the flip,” will be complete sometime in January of 2017. When this phase is complete, the UREC will have over 40,000 sq. feet in all new cardio and weight equipment.
Along with that 40,000 sq. feet will be a 1/3 mile track that wraps around the building, and an indoor climbing wall. When all’s said and done with the project, the UREC will have 185 cardio machines and 162 strength machines.
Checking into the UREC will also receive an upgrade in an effort to speed up the process. In addition to using a tiger card, students will be able to register the retina of their eye to check in. At the meeting, Braden clarified that the machines simply converts your retina into a number, which can then be used to enter.
Individual changing rooms will also be a new addition to the expanded UREC. Braden said she felt it was important students feel comfortable when coming to the UREC and said the individual bathrooms ensure all students will feel comfortable and welcome.
More updates on the UREC will become available in the following months leading up to the grand opening. Braden mentioned during the meeting that they have purposely negated pictures and video from being taken inside the UREC in order to build-up to the much-anticipated opening.
