January 21, 2011

By Jenny Modisz

As students return to MU after winter break, many make a stop at the Student Recreation Complex as part of their New Year’s resolutions.

“We see more participation with the spirit of the New Year and also leading up to Spring Break,” said Laura Salerno, Assistant Director of Membership and Events at the Recreation Center. “Typically we have a large number of students who attend within the first few weeks (of the semester) because their schedules aren’t set and they aren’t bogged down with work.”

Salerno said, in a typical week, the recreation complex can see anywhere from about 5,000 to 7,000 students, but in the first few weeks of spring semester, the daily number exceeds 7,000. Daily attendance records are set constantly.

“I like that there are a lot of machines in the Rec, but New Year resolutions bring in a lot of people,” graduate student Ashley Douglas said. “Luckily it tends to die out by early February.”

Not only is there an increase in the number of students using the general recreation complex facilities, but there is also a rise in the number of students buying the Season Ticket Pass for TigerX classes. Salerno said there are at least 2,300 students who purchase the pass, and that number is expected to grow.

Although there are a large number of students at the recreation complex, the staff does its best to handle the influx of students. The staff monitors traffic patterns of students, and they have more staff working accordingly. The extra staff is there to teach students how to use the equipment and about the rules of the recreation complex.

“The Rec is really busy in the afternoon, and I just choose not to go then,” medical student Abbie Jensen said. “It is very convenient because I can come in the morning and then head right to class, which is really close to the Rec.”

Although one way to avoid the crowd is by going in the morning, there are other times, if permitted by classes, that students should avoid. Salerno said the crowd picks up at 11:00 a.m. because of lunchtime. The number also picks up at about 1:30 p.m. and continues to escalate from there.

“Just be patient,” Salerno said. “When people begin to make their schedules, things calm down.”

Even though it might be a larger crowd each day, the recreation complex staff enjoys having all of the students back.

“The beginning of the semester is always fun,” Salerno said. “We enjoy seeing all of the students return and get back to the daily grind.”

For those who might not be as into using the track, workout rooms, swimming pools and TigerX classes, there are many other things to do at the recreation complex.

“It is not all about the fitness,” Salerno said. “It is a good place to just relax and hang out with your friends. Take advantage of everything under our one roof.”