The ARC Expansion Project is Complete: Here's What to Expect
Director of Recreation Deb Johnson gives a comprehensive update on the new equipment and programs that are coming with the recent completion of the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) expansion project.
Images at bottom of page.
How long did the expansion project take?
DJ: The actual construction phase of the project began at the end of July 2017. At that time, we moved out of the existing core of our facility to the west side of the ARC. The demolition started shortly after that time. We will open 20 months (almost two years) after starting the construction process—March 27, 2019.
What has been added to the facility?
DJ: From an infrastructure viewpoint, we have added a lot of natural lighting, ceiling fans for air circulation, LED daylight harvesting lights and 20,000 square feet of space for additional equipment. The project also included renovating the existing strength room, cycle studio and added ADA lockers and benches to the locker rooms. The total square footage of the project is 41,130.
We have expanded the strength space and cycling studio while adding all new Schwinn bikes to our cycling studio. We created a large, functional workout space with a giant rig, medicine ball slam wall, TRX training system and all of the gear for people wanting to do this style of workout.
An outdoor Fit Yard was created in the courtyard to be used for outdoor group exercise classes, such as Yoga, as well as strongman style workouts using atlas stones, tires, sledgehammers and barbells.
An assessment room has been added with state-of-the-art equipment (coming soon) for private personal training and nutrition sessions along with free drop-in hours to ask personal trainers and our nutrition team questions at no cost.
A cardio mezzanine was added over the entry lobby and expanded into the courtyard allowing us to add a lot of new equipment.
Some quick facts about the added equipment:
- Cardio equipment: A total of 219 cardio machines, 80 additional brand-new cardio machines and 75 machines were upgraded last year
- Strength equipment: 199 strength machines, 164 additional brand-new strength machines, an increase from 10 racks to 20 racks, in addition to 15 insert platforms and six free standing platforms
- Functional equipment: Brand-new medicine balls, foam rollers, atlas stones, kettle bells, stability balls, sand bags, tires, sleds, Olympics bars, curl bars, additional dumbbells, weight plates, bumper plates, change plates, technique plates and more
We have added some unique pieces to help our community train for their hobbies, such as treadmills with a higher incline for hiking or jogging at elevation changes, Marpo rope machines for climbers and upper body strength as well as a ski erg. We have listened to our patrons and worked to add a lot more equipment as well as a maintenance reporting system for when equipment has performance issues.
Were there any surprises along the way?
DJ: To be honest, and it’s more of a “fun fact”—the biggest surprise for me during the entire process was the fact that our contractors were able to demo out the core of our facility and the ceilings without breaking a single mirror in our existing strength room.
When the facility is in use, broken mirrors happen frequently during workouts and we were fully expecting to have them removed and replaced with the construction project. To our surprise, we are able to open the facility with the original mirrors intact.
What aspect of the new facility are you excited for students and staff to get to experience?
DJ: Our entire team is ecstatic and counting down day to our open. We are ready to give this facility to our students, faculty and staff members. As we have begun to train our student employees, we are experiencing their reactions to seeing the facility for the first time. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the vision come to life; this facility is creating an immense energy and excitement from our student body.
Is there anything else you would like to communicate about the project?
DJ: We have a lot of new equipment that patrons have not experienced before and are passionate about our Come As You Are philosophy at Campus Recreation. We want everyone to come through the doors and feel like it is a space where they belong. We have built out multi-use spaces where members can create their own private workout spaces and added more “playful” style equipment as well as equipment to help the performance athlete.
To help our campus learn how to use our equipment we are offering free orientation sessions for our members: Monday–Thursday evenings from 6:30–7:30 p.m. We are also launching our “How To” series, which will be included with your membership. The series will provide a 30–60-minute class teaching different topics such as how to use a kettlebell, medicine ball, program a workout, use strength equipment, etc.
Our group exercise classes will be free for members the first two weeks of the spring quarter.
In honor of the reopening, we’re giving you a special, two-week Try Before You Buy period! So, from April 1–14, test out classes on dance, martial arts, mind and body and much more before registering for the quarter. Get more information and class schedules on the LiveWell page. April 1–April 14 at the ARC.
We welcome new members, and for the first time all business transactions will now be handled as a one stop shop at our front counter when you come in through the east entrance. Guest passes to come experience our facility are $10 per day.
- The ARC opens on March 27 at 7 a.m.
- The basketball gym will be closed from March 25 to April 30 to completely redo the flooring on the courts.
Inside the ARC
