The University Recreation Center, scheduled to open during the upcoming fall semester, will respond to UNC Charlotte’s growing demand for dedicated student recreation and fitness space.
University Recreation, formerly known as Recreational Services, offers a number of programs and services that support the health and well-being of the campus community. Intramural Sports, Sport Clubs, Aquatics, Open Recreation, Group Fitness and Personal Training are among the options, or individuals can work out in one of the current campus fitness facilities.
The 2019-20 academic year will be a particularly exciting year for University Recreation (UREC) with the addition of a new 148,000-square-foot University Recreation Center. The building will offer multiple levels of dedicated fitness and recreation space as well as outdoor activity and leisure areas.
Features include:
- Two aquatic spaces—one indoor pool equipped with five lanes for lap swimming as well as an open space designed for water activities like logrolling, water basketball and Aquafit, among others. An outdoor leisure pool is planned for relaxation and socialization and water volleyball
- Four multipurpose courts designed for open recreation activities (basketball, volleyball, badminton)
- Four levels of dedicated cardio and strength training equipment including space for high intensity interval training and powerlifting.
- Indoor track—six laps are equivalent to one mile with changing elevations designed for running or walking. The track opens up to a functional training space with indoor turf, known as the Playground
- Five multipurpose studios dedicated to programs (group fitness, small group training, sport clubs and special events). The studios are designed to accommodate all of the group fitness class formats popular with patrons: Zumba, TRX, Butts and Guts and Barre, plus many more. One studio is designed as a cycling space, which will increase class capacity to 35 participants. The final studio, located on the fifth level, is planned as a “Mind and Body” space with the ability to provide class environments at a warmer temperature than typical fitness classes
- Teaching kitchen to host demonstrations designed to showcase healthy eating workshops through collaborations with campus partners
- Balconies on three levels will allow patrons to enjoy an indoor/outdoor environment for both fitness-related activities and relaxation
- Outdoor court space—the new facility will provide two controlled-access outdoor court spaces, one for basketball and the other for sand volleyball
The Division of Student Affairs solicited feedback from 1,500-plus students about their personal health and well-being goals, which will be incorporated via graphic design elements of UREC, along with photos of the campus community.
Currently, the University Recreation Center is more than 60 percent complete. Once finished, University Recreation will spend approximately 30 days moving into the new facility and training staff in new operations. University Recreation will continue to maintain a programming presence in the current shared facilities (Belk Gym recreational courts and pool, Barnhardt Student Activity Center recreational courts).
Administrative offices and those for many UREC services and programs will move to the new facility.
Any UNC Charlotte student assessed the Recreational Fee (those who are taking three or more credits per semester, fall/spring), will be able to access the University Recreation Center at no additional charge. Individuals enrolled in less than three credit hours, can purchase a student membership for that semester.
For faculty and staff interested in utilizing UREC facilities and programs, there will be no change to the current membership rate of $160 annually for full access to the facility. Hours of operation for the new facility will be extended.
Details are being finalized for a grand opening experience in mid-fall 2019. Visit the University Recreation Center website for updates and additional information.
