A sneak peek at the new Aggie Recreation Center
It has been nearly seven years since the idea started to become a reality. And now, on Nov. 19 at 11:30 a.m., the new Aggie Recreation Center at Utah State University will finally open for students’ use.
“We’ve got the state of Utah in a building,” said Chase Ellis, campus recreation director at USU. “Because it looks like you’re coming in a slot canyon on the south entrance … it will take you on a walk through the environment we live in, but then I like that tell people, ‘You’ll be working out in an art studio, versus a gym.'”
With a staircase that resembles a waterfall to greet those coming through the front doors, students will step into an artistic and recreational depiction of Utah’s nature.
The ARC will feature a multi-activity court for all indoor sports, a larger gym with three full courts for volleyball and basketball, a fully equipped weight-lifting area, a rock-climbing and repelling wall, a bouldering wall, a cardio machine room, a tenth of a mile track, a yoga and dance room, lockers, a student lounge (fashioned to look like the inside of a yurt) and smaller workout rooms.
“It’s very open, and it’s made to get more of that student life feel,” Ellis said. “We really wanted to make it inviting for everyone, so that those who feel intimidated to go to the gym won’t feel that way, because we have so many different types of activities for them to participate in.”
Affordable personal training programs will be available to all students interested, and the Outdoor Recreation Program will have a shop for students to rent out recreational gear. Day and semester rental lockers will be available, as well.
The large portion of the rock climbing wall will not be open on Nov. 19 as more safety measures are ensured, and the ORP shop will not open until spring semester, Ellis said.
Everything will be fully functional and open to students on Jan. 11, the first day of the spring semester, the same day a student celebration will be held to celebrate everything being ready at the center. There will be climbing competitions as well as businesses coming with giveaways and prizes all day to facilitate students’ excitement about the ARC.
The goal from the beginning for the opening was set for fall semester of 2015, and everyone involved is excited to see that happen.
It was in 1999 when the first efforts for a new recreational facility on campus started, but the idea was turned down, and it wasn’t until about 10 years later that the topic was brought back up.
“In 2009 — when I arrived at Utah State as vice president — Tyler Tolson, who was USUSA student body president, ran on a platform where he wanted to improve recreational facilities for students,” said James Morales, vice president of student services at USU. “He and I got together and discovered that we shared the same idea and goals, and that’s where this most current effort started and that’s what led to the realization of the dream of building this building.”
After campaigning to groups across campus and getting the students’ vote to approve the building of the ARC, construction began in early 2014 and will be going up until opening day.
But Morales never doubted that it would happen from the beginning.
“From the very beginning President Albrecht was fully behind it, and I think when we saw his support and saw other executive leaders behind it and the students leaders other than Tyler also get excited about it, it wasn’t long before we knew that this was going to be something that was going to go forward successfully,” Morales said.
Tolson wishes he was still a student now to use the ARC when it opens.
“It’s so cool to see something that was an idea by students years ago finally come to fruition,” Tolson said. “I kind of see it as another centerpiece for the university.”
When campaigning for the idea of the rec center, Tolson and Morales both felt that it was something needed by students — a new recreation facility that could be run by students. They also believe that it could be another tool in recruiting new students to attend USU.
“I look at my experience at the university, and it was unparalleled. It was amazing. I loved every minute of it,” Tolson said. “To be able to give back a little bit and a piece to help recruit for the future, it’s an honor to be a part of.”
Due in part to his own love of rock climbing as a student, Tolson is especially excited for the indoor climbing wall at the ARC. He hopes the center is used by many students to recreate in many ways and to have a place to escape from the stresses of student life and to connect with others.
Morales hopes students remember whose rec center it is and why it was built.
“This building is their building. And I hope they use it,” he said.
The ARC’s hours will be Mondays through Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Officials are hoping to open the gym on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Ellis said.
To see more pictures of the ARC before it opens, visit: usustatesman.com/gallery/new-arc.building.
For more information about the ARC, or to see a time-lapse video of construction, visit: usu.edu/camprec/htm/facilities/aggierec
— mandy.m.morgan@aggiemail.usu.edu