Aug. 25, 2010
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From UI News Services
IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa will dedicate the new Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) between 2 and 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27.
The dedication program begins at 3:30 p.m. in the the baskeball court on the the second floor with remarks by: Director of Recreational Services Harry Ostrander; Jack Evans, Board of Regents, State of Iowa; UI President Sally Mason; UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta; Marc Long, head swimming and diving coach; Interim Vice President for Student Services Tom Rocklin; and UI Student Government President John Rigby.
The dedication will include guided and self-guided tours. A diving and swimming exhibition is planned, along with a “blessing” of the pool ceremony where water from the Field House pool will be poured into the new CRWC pool.
The $70 million, 215,000-square-foot center is located at the southwest corner of Burlington and Madison streets in Iowa City. It provides much needed fitness and aquatic facilities for the campus community, featuring a 52.5-foot climbing wall, competition pool with spectator seating for up to 2,000, high dive pool, two full-size basketball courts and multi-activity court, 1/9-mile indoor track, leisure pool with a “lazy river” feature and a giant video board for movie screenings, three activity rooms, and much more.
The fitness area in the new building spans more than 20,000 square feet over three floors, with machines featuring embedded televisions and iPod hook-ups and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Burlington Street and Gibson Square.
The CRWC has been open since Monday Aug. 2, allowing students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to check out all the facility has to offer.
“It makes me proud to walk through here knowing that the University of Iowa gets to claim it. I’m glad our university can have something like this. It’s a point of great pride,” said UI student Elyse Kamps, 21.
While the center was designed as a student recreation facility, it offers much more. It will serve as the new home of the men’s and women’s varsity athletic swimming and diving teams. The UI will host several conference and national meets at the new pool.
The Wellness Services area in the CRWC brings together student and faculty/staff programs to support a healthy campus culture by including health coaching, personal training, services to address obesity and weight management, and group programs that enhance personal well-being.
The CRWC also has steam and sauna rooms, locker rooms, lounge areas and a café featuring smoothies and other light refreshments. Parking is available one block southeast.
Memberships are free for currently enrolled students, being part of student fees. Community members may purchase monthly or annual memberships, or pay a daily walk-in fee. UI faculty, staff, alumni and affiliates are offered membership discounts.
McComas Lacina Construction began work on the CRWC in fall 2007. The building was designed by RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines. Artwork was also incorporated into the CRWC design, including a bronze relief sculpture of NCAA champion swimmer Jack Seig. Gary Drostle, an award-winning artist who lives in London, created two mosaics on the first floor.
Fall and spring semester hours will be 8 a.m. to midnight Sunday; 6 a.m. to midnight Monday to Wednesday; 6 a.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday; and 8 a.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday.
The Field House remains open for scheduled activities such as intramurals, club sports, and lesson programs and still operates its basketball and racquetball courts. Fitness East in Halsey Hall is continuing its operation under reduced hours.