Studies indicate that Americans are taking better care of themselves by exercising regularly and eating healthier.

If you arent one of these health conscious consumers, you soon can be.

WVUs new Student Recreation Centerpart of a $250 million campus renewal planis set for completion in April 2001, and students along with faculty and staff can take advantage of one of the finest college recreational centers in the nation.

The $34 million, 170,000 square-foot facility was approved in April 1997 by a student referendum, and will require a $90 fee increase per semester when the facility opens. Faculty and staff, their spouses and childrenand the spouses and children of WVU studentsmay also use the center by purchasing a membership.

Director of the new center Dave Taylor says the complex will strengthen the quality of life for students and employees.

“The state of West Virginia is a recreation area year-round, and Morgantownwith the new Caperton Trail and other Riverfront developmentis flourishing,”Taylor notes.”But this center is going to further enhance fitness and health activities for our students and employees for many years to come.”

Recruiting will benefit as well, he says, as word of the centerlocated near the Evansdale Residential Complex and the PRT stationspreads.

“The location with its close proximity to student housing and campus transportation is ideal,”he adds.”Its just another example of how WVU is always thinking of ways to put students firstin and out of the classroom.”

Taylor says student surveys at campuses that have recently built rec centers indicate that having such a facility factors into the college decision-making process.

“Many students come to a college campus with fixed patterns of behavior. They may be members of private gyms or have access to school or other fitness facilities in their hometowns. And they tell us that having a multipurpose fitness center is important to their lifestyles.”

WVUs facility will sport two swimming poolsone a 25-yard, six-lane lap pool; the other a leisure pool with warmer temperatures and a beach-style entry. The leisure pool will also have two fitness lanes.

The leisure pool has a more comfortable entry for children and wheelchair users, plus a seating area for socializing, Taylor says. Next to the leisure pool will be a clover leaf-shaped whirlpool that seats about 20 people and an outdoor sunning deck that faces west to capture the afternoon sun.

Two gymnasiumsone with 4-courts; the other a 3-court gym will be marked for basketball, volleyball and badminton competition.

Rounding out the facility will be a three-lane, 1/9-mile elevated running and walking track; three multipurpose rooms for aerobics, martial arts and dance activities; three racquetball courts and one squash court; and an outdoor pursuits center for checking out ski, camping and other equipment.

“We hope to offer a lot more outdoor trips once the new facility is up and running,”Taylor adds.

The feature attraction, he notes, is 17,000 square feet of weight and fitness space on two levels.”By comparison, Towers Fitness Center is 3,000 square feet,”he says.

Free weights will be located in the downstairs portion, while the upstairs will be devoted to aerobic equipment.

The focal feature of the center is a 50-foot climbing wall off the main entrance corridor.

“Today, if youre truly building a fitness center that accommodates students and represents their interestsyou should include a climbing wall,”Taylor says.”Ours has a mountain structure. It starts at 32 feet at the lowest end and rises to 50 feet. With the area of the country that were located in, it should be a popular activity.”

Two students one a male graduate student in journalism; the other a female undergraduate majoring in English have differing views of WVUs new center.

“Im a sedentary type of guy, and probably wont use it much,”says Tim Page,”so the extra $90 a semester will be a waste for me.”

Noting that hes only just returned to the University to work on his masters degree, Page says he really hasnt heard too much about the new center. After a quick rundown of the amenities, however, he quipped,”I might just have to change my ways.”

Even though Leslie Cyphert of Morgantown belongs to a private gym, she says shell definitely use the WVU rec centerespecially since students are paying for it.

“It sounds awesone. I will definitely use it, especially the basketball courts and running track. She says the extra $90 semester fee doesnt bother her because”Ill get my moneys worth out of it.”

She adds,”It sounds like there will be something there for everyone, even those who just want to go to socialize.”

Vice President Scott Kelley thinks the center will compliment the Universitys current student union and other downtown campus recreational facilities.

“If you add this new recreation center to whats available at the Mountainlair and other campus recreation areas, there arent too many universities across the nation that can offer what we do, especially for the price,”he says.

Vice President Ken Gray says the new facility dovetails with the administrations student-centered philosophy.

“WVU was recently cited by the Templeton Guide for our healthy and community-minded approach to student programming. This new center will only enhance the fact that were offering our students one of the top college living and learning environments in the nation.”

Taylor notes that all campus recreation staff and intramural activities will also be relocated to the new facility from their current location in Stansbury Hall, and there will be a wellness center, food service operation, a small classroom, meeting room and socialization areas.

“In addition to working out and staying fit, were looking forward to offering more opportunities and space for socializing,”Taylor adds.”We hope to compliment the successful WVUp All Night activities taking place at the Lair on the weekends, for example.”

Hours of operation are still being determined, but its likely that the center will open around 6 a.m. and remain open until midnight.

Approximately 300 parking spaces will allow users to come and go, but Taylor says the specific details are still being worked out, as are membership rates for students family members and employees.

Meanwhile, construction continues. To mark the completion of the steel support structure of the building, a”topping out”ceremony was held June 22.

Project manager Charlie Robison says a metal roof is now being put in place, with the goal of completing the exterior building shell including masonry and glass curtain wallthis winter so that interior finishing work can proceed on schedule into spring.

The facility is set for completion in April 2001, with an official grand opening scheduled for next fall when students return for classes.

“Well likely be open for business during the latter part of the spring semester, but well wait until next fall to launch a full scale grand opening ceremony so that our studentswho went to bat for this outstanding facilitycan take part in the official opening,”Taylor notes.