Monday, August 17, 2009
Ribbon-cutting and open house for Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness Center is September 3
A 33-foot-tall rock climbing tower was recently installed in the Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness Center.
Contact for more information:
Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 With lounges, flat-screen television sets, and a game room, the improved RFWC will be more than a place to work out. Dave Enzler, director, said he hopes the RFWC will be a place people come to "recreate themselves." "It's a recreation center," he said. "People should do whatever they like to do to feel better and get rejuvenated. There are a lot of ways to do that: for some it's using the treadmill or weights, for others it's watching TV or playing video games." A 3,860-square-foot lounge with lounge furniture, computer stations, cafe tables, and a large-screen television will greet students and employees as they enter the new RFWC. Enzler predicted the lounge will be "the place to see and be seen." "This is a place to congregate, not just to work out, but to meet and socialize," he said. "Our hope is that the lounge will be an enticement to come in and work out. We've made it as user-friendly and inviting as we can. If we can get them into the building, maybe we can get them to cross the threshold." An adjacent "quiet lounge" can be reserved by groups and organizations. In the new game room, students can play pool, foosball, table tennis, and video games (Xbox or Wii). The game room also will include cafe tables and a vending area. The expanded RFWC was designed to attract new users, but also to satisfy dedicated ones. "We don't want it to be an intimidating place, but we also want to serve the hardcore exercisers. That's a challenge, and we think we've met the challenge," Enzler said. Zach Ryder, a junior physical education major, is a regular user. He said, "During the school year, it'll be busy. It'll be a cool place to hang out when classes start. It'll be more of a place to go on campus to hang out." The expanded RFWC has more exercise equipment, and almost all of it is new. There are 48 cardio machines (formerly, there were 26) and the first row is equipped with attached television monitors. From the rest of the machines, users can plug in headphones and choose from one of a dozen 52-inch television sets hanging from the ceiling. The entire line of Cybex weight machines is new, and there are areas dedicated to stretching and abdominal work adjacent to the cardio area and the track. On the lower level, a third basketball court is available since the cardio and free weight areas were moved into the expanded area. There are twice as many stations in the free weight area, which includes all new weights and built-in benches and cubbies. Those who enjoy group exercise classes will be pleased that the new RFWC offers two group exercise rooms, allowing for more classes. One of the new rooms holds a collection of brand new spinning bikes. A third room is outfitted with padded walls, speed bags, heavy bags, and mats. The lower level offers access to the 33-foot-tall rock climbing tower, painted to resemble limestone bluffs near campus. The tower, surrounded by glass walls, can be viewed from all levels of the building. The climbing room is equipped with a padded floor and multi-colored lights that can be adjusted to mimic different times of day, and also includes a 12-foot-high bouldering wall for horizontal climbing. Climbers will be required to take a training course from RFWC staff. Mick Ballart, a junior mathematics major, said he thinks the rock wall will be popular. "I'm looking forward to it," he said. Students who want to get out into nature can check out tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and lanterns from the RFWC. There is additional office space, a conference room, consultation rooms for personal training appointments, and more storage. Two more locker rooms will supplement the two already offered, and will be complete soon after the opening. The groundbreaking for the $7.75 million expansion was held in April 2008. |
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