Sitting on 110,000 square feet, the Student Recreation Center is the heart of the University of Alabama’s Recreational activities. Enjoy activities such as rock climbing, aerobic classes, cycling, dancing, swimming, weight lifting, indoor running, and intramural sports along with some other activities to whip anyone into shape. These activities are available during convenient times that are perfect for a college student’s schedule. Along with a state of the art weight room, the commonly known “Rec” offers a service for just about any recreational interest, while maintaining a clean and safe environment (“University Recreation”).
From Monday through Thursday, the Rec is open from 5:30 a.m. until midnight; the hours may vary during holidays and on the weekends. So even the busiest of schedules should have an open slot in their schedule during its hours of operation. There are a total of 625 parking spaces, but members without a perimeter parking pass, cannot use the spaces from 7:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. However, Crimson Ride buses, like the Blue Express and Perimeter make regular stops at the Rec Center, so making the long walk from to the Rec can be avoided. Outside the Rec Center lie several soccer and football fields along with tennis courts and the Student health Center near by.
There is literally something for everyone inside the Rec. Most people think the Rec is only for fitness, but you can also get involved in aquatics, intramural sports, outdoor recreation, hip-hop classes, and sports clubs ("University of Alabama Student Affairs"). One example of its services is its rock climbing wall with easy, medium and hard rock faces; if you are not sure if rock climbing is for you, you can go for free your first time to find out. Intramural sports are probably the most popular of the Rec services. Just a few of intramural sports on the fall calendar include: flag football, indoor soccer, swimming meets, volleyball, and even tailgating games. The weight room is also one of the more popular attractions. Members may choose to lift using machines or free weights. The floor above the weight room is a floor of treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and other machines for cardio workouts. They have free classes for certain types of abs, legs, and heart workouts available to the students during a reasonable schedule. They even have gaming systems, near the basketball and volleyball court, for anyone who wants to get their exercise in that way. The aquatic programs at the Aquatic Center have year-round opportunities at the Student Recreation Center. Indoors of the aquatic center is a four-lane, 25 yard multi-purpose pool. People can swim for fitness, for fun, join an aerobics class or take a beginner or intermediate swim lesson.
It seems like the health and safety of the members is a top priority. Little things, like the sign that asks people not to spit in the water fountains, say a good bit about their positive perceptive of hygiene, and that they care for those who use their equipment. Another way the Rec promotes good health is posted information of ways to prevent staph infection. Other actions the staff takes to prevent health and safety issues are providing disinfectant spray in the weight rooms, hand sanitizer stations throughout the gym, and alcohol cloths to wipe down the machine after your use. They also use antibacterial detergent when washing the towels they offer to all their customers. To insure the Rec is safe and a healthy environment, the safety regulations are posted on its website http://urec.sa.ua.edu/src-facilityusage.cfm. An example of one of the safety regulations the Rec has is to require that patrons use proper athletic shoes and attire. (“University Recreation”). There is also a Physical Therapy Clinic located inside of the Rec Center for those who may get hurt and in need of rehabilitation.
The variety of services provided at The University of Alabama’s Recreation Center is above and beyond most college recreation centers. For one example, at Auburn University they only offer three intramural sports, flag football, soccer, and volleyball, unlike The Capstone’s wide variety (“Campus Recreation”). Some of us students complain about the university, saying “ all they do is find ways to take out money”; But, it is good to see that our money is put to beneficial services for students, one way by facilitating an over-the-top recreation center. Now in order for it to be worth it many students need to make an effort and use the Rec Center whenever they have a chance to do so, because that facility has many resources that anyone can use.
Works Cited Page
"SRC Facility Usage Guidelines." University Recreation. 2009. The University of Alabama, Web. 29 Sep 2009.
"University Recreation." The University of Alabama Student Affairs. 2009. The University of Alabama, Web. 29 Sep 2009.
"Intramural Sports." Campus Recreation. 2009. Auburn University, Web. 29 Sep 2009.
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