Get Pumped Up

By Kezia McKeague
Old Gold and Black Reporter

Demand for improvements to student life has brought an old idea back into vogue among student leaders: the construction of a recreation center.

Discussed at the President's Leadership Conference two weeks ago and designated as one of this year's primary objectives by the Student Government executive branch, the proposal also has key support from Max Floyd, director of campus recreation.

"A rec center would help build traditions around a balanced, health-conscience lifestyle and provide a gathering space for every different group," Floyd said.

But this is not a new issue for Floyd.

"Most individuals sensitive to the interests of students would say that possessing a student recreation center is not a non-academic luxury but an essential structure for the education of a young person's mind, body, emotional qualities and self-discipline," Floyd wrote as a guest columnist in the Old Gold and Black a few years ago.

Floyd and SG officers insist that now is the time to revisit the idea of a recreation center, maintaining that it would address a palpable need for greater "hangout" space on campus.

This concern about a dearth of places for casual interaction emerged as the predominant theme of both discussion at PLC and studies conducted last year by the Division of Student Life.

Ken Zick, vice president for student life and instructional resources, agrees that it would meet a number of different goals.

"Beyond health and recreation, a rec center would serve a bridging function, allowing students, faculty and staff from all across campus to engage in the kind of serendipitous encounters so important to building community," he said.

Jonathan Willingham, SG secretary, cites the inability of current facilities to foster a sense of community.

"Benson, for example is necessary for student offices, but it's not a place we go to chill," he said.

"If we do, it's only because we don't have other options."

Indeed, the title of the Benson University Center speaks to its intended function.

"Benson was built as the university center, not as a student center with comfortable student space," Zick said.

"It was designed for a food court, student organizational space and meeting space. Those were desperate needs at the time."

The Miller Center is also the subject of complaint, according to Willingham.

"There's been grumbling that the Miller Center isn't very student-friendly, but it was never intended for general student use," he said.

"It was a great improvement, but a much larger step is needed."

If constructed, the new recreation center would feature additional facilities for exercise, which Floyd hopes would attract even more students to well-rounded habits that are not "just all work and no play."

"The new fitness center in Miller is an example of what I think would happen with a rec center in terms of popularity. It's already bursting at the seams," he said.

In addition to improved fitness resources, Floyd envisions a new swimming pool, an indoor jogging track, locker rooms, racquetball courts, a rock climbing wall, a bowling alley, a game room, juice bars and any other ideas students develop.

These plans stem from a trip Floyd made several years ago to compare recreation centers at peer universities.

After touring their facilities and interviewing the users, he returned convinced of the need to pursue the issue.

"It's fair to say we don't offer the amenities in that area that other universities do," Zick said of recreational offerings.

Willingham corroborated this observation: "We have great facilities, but we're falling behind in this area. A rec center could be important in recruiting when prospective students compare us with places like Davidson, which just built a fabulous new student center."

"I think it's more of a student life issue than an admissions issue, but certainly the two are related. Happy students attract other students," Martha Allman, director of admissions, said.

Floyd said that he is "cautiously optimistic" about the possibility of a recreation center being approved in the near future despite the many obstacles.

According to Zick, the project is estimated to cost - million, at least as it was originally conceptualized.

"One has to be pragmatic. The recession and its impact on higher education have led to thinking about hard decisions and budgetary constraints. It will be very difficult to find capital to build the center and fund operational expenses," he said.

Serious discussion of the proposal requires consideration of trade-offs with other desired investments.

"Are other plans like a parking deck competing with the rec center?" Zick asked. "In the sense of having to sort among various priorities and make choices, they are. And this is where student voice makes a difference."

Floyd metaphorically described the requisite student-driven support as a wind pushing a sailboat across a lake.

"I need a constant gust to reach the other side," he said.

"I'm very excited about the idea, but we don't want to build a multi-million dollar facility and nobody comes."

Student leaders at the President's Leadership Conference categorized the recreation center as a five-year goals for improving campus life.

Though Willingham and his fellow SG officers would not benefit from its construction themselves, he said they hope to lay the groundwork this year.

"There were several recommendations that came out of PLC. We (SG) are going to address as many as possible, but this is obviously a longer-term goal," Willingham said.

Open to speaking to any student groups who would like to hear more about what a recreation center could offer, Floyd believes the first step should consist of assessing and building student support ­ before doing specific analysis of such considerations as possible sites for the center.

At this point, the main site that has been mentioned is the hill bordering the practice football field, according to Zick.

Willingham hopes that students who have an opinion about the recreation center proposal, whether in support or criticism, will contact a member of SG.

"We'll get legislators to talk to their constituents, the new SG Web site will do polling and we're thinking about conducting focus groups," he said of plans to gauge opinion.

"The ball is in the students' court," Floyd said.

"This facility could be a wonderful legacy handed down for all future students to enjoy."