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Opening draws hundreds of students
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Ty
Halasz/Photo editor
Gihan Mendis, a senior finance major, dribbles under freshman
political science major Andrew Hepworth in a game of one-on-one
in the University Recreation Center.
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By Lara Hendrickson
Staff Reporter
Large numbers of students flocked to the opening of the nearly complete
University Recreation Center Monday after delays pushed back previous
completion dates.
Steve Kintigh, director of campus recreation, estimated that there
were 350 people already through the door 40 minutes after its noon
opening Monday. The first 150 people through the door received free
T-shirts, and many also received free mugs, he said.
There are still minor projects in the recreation center to be completed
for which exact dates are unknown, which are the reasons for the
ongoing construction, Kintigh said.
“The outdoor pool, food court and the cable TV centers (are
not yet complete), but we’re very happy to be able to get the
students in here,” Kintigh said.
Junior marketing major Mickey Rozzell said the new recreation center
has been worth the wait because of the dramatic size increase.
“We had to wait so long for it to be completed, but the new
rec center is more adept to students needs and wants on campus,”
Rozzell said. “It’s pretty impressive.”
Nearly everything, including treadmills with individual television
screens, the weight room, racquetball rooms and basketball courts
are open already, Kintigh said.
Student admission to the building is through a ID card, and faculty
admission includes a $5 monthly fee, Kintigh said.
Mary Ruth Jones, administrative assistant in Residential Services,
said she went on both the alumni board and faculty tours and has
already purchased a membership. She said it was a long way from
being finished then, but it is now impressive.
“I think (the monthly fee is) a bargain,” Jones said.
“It’s a fabulous facility and I think it’s going
to be a great addition to our university.”
The previous openings for the center were scheduled for Nov. 1,
then Jan. 21, but weather and inspection delays pushed the opening
back, Kintigh said. Student employee training was also a reason
for a delayed opening, said Damien Abel, assistant director of campus
recreation.
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Ty
Halasz/Photo editor
Junior accounting major Sonny Ahluwalia (right) plays a game
of racquetball with freshman radio-tv-film major Adam Hepworth.
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Sophomore psychology major Lauren Rieken, a student employee at
the new recreation center, said they had been awaiting the students
arrival before opening the recreation center.
“We have been (training) since the beginning of January,”
Rieken said.
Mark Phillips, a junior marketing major, said he is looking forward
to playing basketball on the new courts in the recreation center.
“24
Hour Fitness has nothing on this,” Phillips said.
Additional workout classes and the rock climbing wall in the new
recreation center all have the send-home option.
Kintigh said he is happy to finally have the recreation center open
and wants it to feel like the student’s own club.
“We’re
just thrilled to have it open,” he said. “I hope the kids
love it.”
Lara
Hendrickson
l.c.hendrickson@tcu.edu
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