Published: July 10, 2009 10:15 pm         

ISU opens new Student Recreation Center

TERRE HAUTE — Fitness-conscious college students frustrated by “the dungeon” at Indiana State University saw their efforts to effect change pay off Friday with the opening of the new Student Recreation Center.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Michael Scott Jr., president of the Student Government Association, and one of many student leaders who watched the project evolve. “The fact that we were able to have an impact on something of this magnitude shows how important student government is.”

The $21.7 million facility is the first of its kind for ISU — hailed as a product of “student advocacy and collaboration” — not connected to academic pursuits, but dedicated to the enhancement of student recreation and well-being.

The “dungeon” is the student moniker for the basement of the longtime athletic arena where students could work out and run inside a dark, cramped space enclosed by a chain fence and barbed wire. Recreational sports will move out of that arena building, which will revert to an academic and athletic-team function.

“We’re going to a Taj Mahal,” one former student noted of the Student Recreation Center, or SRC.

Within the attractive natatorium lies a swimming pool that is for more than swimming laps. The 112,067-gallon pool features three lap-swim lanes, as well as a large area for water volleyball and sports, a leisure pool, and a 22-person spa with Jacuzzi jets. The pool’s tropical atmosphere is enhanced by live plants and trees that decorate the islands and pool deck. A “wet” classroom supports aquatic programs such as lifeguard training and water safety classes.

The ground floor also includes a three-court gym that can host volleyball, basketball and badminton, a juice bar and lounge area, locker facilities and equipment rooms, a massage therapy room, and administrative offices. The second level features 10,500 square feet for fitness activities, including a cycling room, elevated jogging/running track, multipurpose activity rooms for aerobics, martial arts and cardio equipment with iPod integration, USB flash drives for transferring personal fitness data, and cable television.

The multi-activity court, or MAC, will allow indoor soccer and floor hockey, and can be set up to host dances and other social functions. That room, said John Lentz, Director of the Office of Recreational Sports, can be rented to the community for use at such times as Saturday and Sunday mornings, when students activities are not scheduled in that space.

As the public, including current students, alumni and ISU staff, poured through the building to examine the amenities, some incoming freshmen also were impressed by the facility.

“It’s a pleasant surprise,” said Imhotep Thomas Miller of Kokomo, who is taking a three-week summer class before starting full-time in the fall. An accounting major, Miller joined his friends in eyeing the indoor gym facility.

It is that type of positive response that ISU officials hope will draw more students to the university — and for more than just the recreation aspect.

Lentz said that student leadership is still at the forefront of the project. Students will gain experiential education by opening and managing the facility, and assisting in its operations. That is experience they can take to the workplace along with their degrees, he said.

No state funding was used to construct the $21.7 million facility. Private contributions provided $6.5 million, while the remainder will be paid through student fees. Starting with the coming academic year, a $100 per semester recreation fee has been added to each student’s bill.

Friday’s ribbon cutting also featured comments by D. Thomas Ramey, vice president of student affairs, ISU president Daniel J. Bradley, State Rep. Clyde Kersey, Board of Trustees President Michael Alley, and sculptor Douglas Kornfeld, whose “The Runner” greets those entering the spacious building.

Ramey said a main goal of the facility is to help retain students as well as attract them.

“This facility brings a new focus and new energy to campus,” he said.

Summer hours for the SRC will be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

The anticipated academic year hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays.

Best of all for students, the $100 per semester fee covers student use of the building. ISU faculty and staff also may use the building for free. A rate schedule is available for alumni and guests.

Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.