Rec center to open Jan. 27
By Lara Hendrickson
Staff Reporter

After a previously announced opening goal for Tuesday, the University Recreation Center is now officially scheduled to open Jan. 27, said Steve Kintigh, director of campus recreation.

Damien Abel, assistant director of campus recreation, said the delay was so student employees could become fully acquainted with the equipment.

“With inspection on (Monday), the likelihood that students would be adjusted to their classes and the center in a week is not high,” Abel said.

The original completion date was Nov. 1, 2002. It was moved partially due to delays in inspection, a month of rain and the difficulties of renovation compared to constructing a completely new building, said Kintigh. However, Kintigh would not comment on specific inspections and problems associated with them.

Some adjustment details will continue throughout the semester, but Kintigh said they will not affect students’ presence in the building.

“It may not be open 100 percent,” Kintigh said. “The hours will be regular but, for example, the rock climbing wall may close earlier than it will later in the semester. We anticipate full opening with the possible exception of the indoor pool.”

The outdoor pool is tentatively scheduled to open in late March, said Kintigh.

Junior marketing major Jasmine Barnsley said she is awaiting the new features of the recreation center.

“I am about to quit my gym membership because I have heard so much about the new rec center,” Barnsley said.

Kintigh said he is aware of the student and faculty anxiety to the opening of the new recreation center, and that the Physical Plant, in charge of the maintenance and overseeing the project, has done all they can to open it as soon as possible.

“Obviously, we are frustrated, but it is out of TCU’s control,” he said. “The Physical Plant has done a marvelous job getting things done.”

Abel said he estimated the building to be 95 to 96 percent complete. The pools make up most of what is not completed.

Kintigh also said even after delays, the building was renovated extremely quickly in retrospect. The new recreation center is the second largest structure on campus, after the Amon Carter Stadium.

“To build in 13 months is remarkable,” he said. “This is a huge building. The pressure is constant to keep this as short as possible.”

Additions to the new recreation center include a top-of-the-line rock climbing wall, individual television screens on each treadmill, indoor and outdoor pools, two sand volleyball courts, pool tables, a Sodexho food area and a small shop that sells recreation equipment, Kintigh said. All expenses have the “send-home” option.

Jeff Horn, senior superintendent of the new recreation center, said the new center will be much more inviting to all students.

“Before the building was outdated,” Horn said. “Now it is a lot brighter and more open.”
Horn and Kintigh both said they want students to feel this is their club.

“You are going to love it,” Kintigh said. “Trust me, it will be well worth the wait.”

Open house tours for all interested faculty or students are currently scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 25.

Lara Hendrickson