When theyre not in class or studying, West Virginia University students will have ample recreational activities to enjoy this year, thanks to a new Student Recreation Center that opened in July.

With 22,000-plus young men and women converging on the Morgantown campus for the fall term, Recreation Center staff is encouraging students and WVU employees to take advantage of this modern facility. They also have some tips for how best to enjoy the many activities there.

“The center can accommodate approximately 550 users at any one time,”said Director David Taylor.”We anticipate that the Student Recreation Center will be most crowded from 3-10 p.m. weekdays and encourage students and employees to use the facility during non-peak times, which are mornings, early afternoons and weekends.”

During the fall semester the center will be open 6 a.m.-midnight weekdays, 8 a.m.-midnight Saturdays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays.

The 177,000-square-foot facility features a climbing wall; 17,000-square-feet of weight and fitness space; four-court and three-court gyms for basketball, volleyball and badminton; three racquetball courts; a squash court; an aquatics area with lap and leisure pools and a spa; an elevated three-lane jogging/walking track; a wellness center; and an outdoor recreation area.

It sits on a 12-acre site on the Evansdale Campus and is within walking distance of the Evansdale Residential Complex, PRT station and several academic buildings.

Because of limited parking, officials are encouraging users to walk to the center or use the available PRT and bus services. Buses will run from the ERC to the Mountainlair after PRT hours.

A student recreation fee approved by students in 1997 is paying for the $34 million center; the fee amounts to a maximum $90 for a regular semester and $45 for a summer term. Annual memberships for employees and their families are $300 for faculty and staff, $240 for spouses and $660 for a family of three or more.

Besides providing students with a variety of recreational activities, the Rec Center will also offer special events every Friday night in conjunction with WVUp All Night.

A grand opening celebration will be Sept. 21-23 during Fall Family Weekend. The event will feature the dedication of the Student Recreation Center and numerous special events.

* STUDENT RECREATION CENTER RULES

• Students must bring valid Mountaineer One Card ID for admittance to the center or pay a $7 fee

• Employee members must bring their membership card

• WVU employees who are not members may be admitted for a $7 fee

• Guests (up to 2 per person) must be with a student member with valid ID and pay a $7 fee; there are no residency requirements for guests of students

• Guests (up to 2 per person) must be with an employee member with valid ID and pay a $7 fee; guests of employee members must be from out of town

• WVU employees who are not members are not permitted to bring guests

• Bookbags and other personal items are not permitted in any program area

• Non-marking soled shoes are required in all activity areas of the center

• No food or drink (with the exception of water) is allowed in the activity area

• Food and beverage may be purchased at the Sports Cafe and consumed in the free zone area (main corridor) of the facility

  
  p. STUDENT RECREATION CENTER PARKING

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• Starting Thursday, Aug. 16, a temporary parking plan will be in place allowing one hour of free parking in the Rec Center lot. Patrons will receive a parking pass from an attendant stationed in the lot.

• A permanent parking plan is tentatively scheduled to begin Sept. 4 with the installation of short-term parking meters like ones used in the Mountainlair parking garage and other lots on campus.

• During both the temporary and permanent parking phases, parking will be free from 5 p.m.-midnight, but overnight parking is prohibited.

• The centers east parking lot will be a permit-only lot, designated as Area 2001, and will be dedicated for student workers, employees, faculty and staff with permits from other WVU parking areas (who might be using the facility), visitors and four (4) ADA spaces.