Recreation center membership offers many facilities, options

Purdue's renovated and expanded and newly named France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center has opened and invites use by faculty, staff, their families and others in the Purdue community in addition to students.

Full-time students are automatically members, as their fees include use of the center (CREC). Others can enjoy the many fitness and wellness features under any of several plans. One fitness area is reserved for faculty and staff.

Most of the building, including a nearly tripled number of strength and cardio machines, is available for use. Some parts are being finished and will open in the coming weeks and months. The current schedule has the building open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. For those who prefer early exercise, the nearby Turf Recreation Exercise Center (TREC) is open 5:30-11 a.m. Monday-Friday. Hours are posted at www.purdue.edu/recsports/facilities/hours_calendar/index.php.

Membership details are online at www.purdue.edu/recsports; roll over the "Membership & Services" pulldown link in the gold bar to learn about eligibility and rates. For those who want to check it out, Recreational Sports will have people available to show the building and answer questions. Inquiries also can be made at 49-43109.

"Many employee members are using payroll deduction, which amounts to just over $19 a month for an individual membership," says Howard Taylor, director of recreational sports. "This entitles them to a wide variety of exercise options."

Among the new features in the expanded and renovated center:

Expanded Colby Fitness Center
1,200-square-foot cycling studio
Recreation pool, spa and vortex (scheduled to open mid-Spring 2013)
Men's and women's locker rooms and saunas
Private showers
Climbing wall and bouldering wall
16 designated racquetball/wallyball courts
Six convertible squash courts
Combative arts space and equipment
Demonstration kitchen and wellness suite
Massage therapy
Indoor hockey/soccer court
Expanded basketball, volleyball and badminton courts (some to open in early to mid-November)
One-eighth-mile and one-tenth-mile running tracks (atrium track to open in November)
Meeting and conference space
Eight multipurpose rooms for classes and clubs

Some spaces and services housed in CREC, primarily those related to wellness and nutrition, are available to nonmembers.

Areas of the building still receiving substantial work are expected to open, Taylor says, as follows:

* Gold and Black Gym courts 1-2-3 (formerly West Gym) -- early November; installation of floors.
* Gold and Black Gym courts 4-5-6 (formerly East Gym) -- early January; installation of floors.
* Feature gym with Mackey-themed look -- mid-November; installation of floor.
* Atrium running track -- mid-November; installation of track surface.
* Recreational pool -- middle of spring semester; various steps.

Writer: Dan Howell, 765-494-2028, dhowell@purdue.edu

Source: Howard Taylor, 765-494-3114, hhtaylor@purdue.edu