Revamped Rec Center in full swing

   After a long year of student anticipation and missed deadlines, the Swimming and Fitness Center at the Student Recreational Center finally opened on Aug. 27.

The Swimming and Fitness Center was closed in the fall of 2011 for renovations.

It was originally set to re-open in the spring semester of 2012, but a change of contractors caused a slight delay in production.

“All throughout last year and this summer students were constantly calling to see if the pool was opened and when it was going to open,” said student worker, Marbeth Ruiz. “So it is safe to say that students were pleased when the pools finally opened. Since the pools’ opening at the beginning of the semester, we have definitely seen an increase in student traffic here at the SRC. The pool is never empty, there is always a good number of students using the pool during its operation hours.”

Decorated with new sitting furniture, the area has two pools. The smaller one measures 25 yards by 15 yards, with a depth ranging from 0 to 4 feet, and holds 141,000 gallons of water.

Sporting a beach entrance and a constant water temperature of 85 degrees, this pool is mainly used for group activities such as water aerobics, water basketball and water volleyball.

The larger pool, which is 25 feet deep, has a more competitive design, as it offers 10 lanes and a 1-meter and 3-meter springboard. Used more for lap swimming, the pool holds 381,000 gallons of water, with a depth increasing from 3.5 to 13 feet.

The pool area is open for three daily blocked times from 5:30-9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Center officials said that about 300 students use the pool daily. Among those students is sophomore multimedia advertising major, Lilliana Acosta.

“I had really never come to the student recreational center, but now that the pool is open I am here every morning for a swim,” Acosta said. “The operation hours are very convenient for my schedule and the pool is always clean so I am really happy that the pool is finally opened.”

The pool area renovations were the second phase of a $32 million project for a new recreation center that was prompted by a student vote to raise recreational fees to fund an upgrade to the 16-year-old university’s Swimming and Fitness Center.

Among the renovations of the pool area were the addition of new digital pace clocks, interior lighting, new plaster and a coat of paint.

The pool locker rooms also received an upgrade as they were completely refurbished with new lockers, sink areas and showers.

While many upgrades have been completed, there is still more to be done. The SRC is still planning on opening three new racquetball courts during the spring semester of 2013 and there are also plans to upgrade the multipurpose field.

To use the pool, one must present a current student I.D., membership, or pay a daily fee of $10. Both students and members are allowed to bring in one guest for free.

“Being able to bring a guest is definitely a plus,” said junior nursing major, Marissa Portillo. “I baby sit my niece three times a week so I am always bringing her to the pool. It is very family friendly, with at least two life guards on duty, so while my niece plays I’m a able to squeeze in a workout.”

Audrey Westcott may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.