HPER helps keep USU fit
The HPER building has served Utah State University students as home for physical and recreational needs for 30 years. The purpose, uses and look of the HPER building have not changed much in that time, but according to many Campus Recreation employees, the needs of the university have.
The HPER building is home to the Campus Recreation department and the Health and Physical Education department. Besides housing physical education classes, the HPER is home to extra-curricular and community activities.
One of the most popular uses for the HYPER is the intramural program.
“Our intramural program is the largest in Utah,” said Regina Sorensen, Campus Recreation office manager and building scheduler. “We also offer club sports, so where there is not a team here they can still play the sports they love.”
The HPER also has free hours for students and faculty to use on their own time.
“I like the HPER because there are a lot of things you can do, and it is so close, if you have an hour break you can just run over and work out,” said Scott Robinson, swimming pool head lifeguard. “It’s a great stress reliever.”
Community programs offered include swimming lessons, karate, gymnastics and aerobics, Sorensen said.
Like many old buildings, the HPER has its own legends. One of the HPER stories tells of a poor college student who moved into one of the tunnels below the building. Occasionally HPER employees explore these tunnels.
“We have been to the room he lived in,” said lifeguard Becky Hobbs.
One of the main concerns HPER employees express is overcrowding.
“The building is 30 years old. It was built when there were about 9,000 students on campus,” said Campus Recreation Director Deanne Williams. “We are bulging at the seams.”
Each day the HPER building turns down at least five to 10 groups that would like to use the facilities, Sorensen said.
“We turn away tons of students because of intramurals or something,” she said.
“Our biggest issue is trying to accommodate everyone. We are very conscious of students and what they want because they pay our salaries,” Williams said.
“The building itself is in pretty good shape, we’ve just outgrown it,” she said.