Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A grand opening ceremony for Stephen F. Austin State University’s Student Recreation Center will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. Parking for the public will be available on the south side of the new facility off Wilson Drive.

The main level of the $24-million facility has two multi-purpose basketball courts for basketball, or volleyball, locker rooms, a 39-foot, freestanding rock climbing wall, a 12,000-square-foot weight and fitness center; and an outdoor center. It also houses a wellness center, which includes areas for nutrition and fitness assessment and massage therapy.

The upper level has a indoor track that winds around the inside perimeter of the building, two racquetball courts, additional cardio and fitness areas, stretching areas and an outdoor patio for relaxation and entertainment. This level also has a multi-purpose studio available for aerobics or martial art classes.

The courtyard and pool area has picnic areas, two sand volleyball courts, two outdoor basketball courts, a 270-foot-long lazy river, 12-foot-deep diving pool, 30-person spa, three lap lanes, zero-depth pool entry, and a pool play area for water basketball and volleyball.

All students enrolled in one or more credit hours are members of the student recreation center.

"The new Student Recreation Center is going to make a big impact on campus,” said Kenny Norris, facilities and member services coordinator. “We believe it will be a great place to socialize, relieve stress, and stay healthy. All students need is their validated SFA ID to get in and enjoy all we have to offer."

The facility is the home of the campus recreation department and its five program areas: aquatics, safety and camps; fitness and wellness; intramural sports and sport clubs; outdoor pursuits; and facilities and member services.

Aquatics will sponsor events including dive-in movies, beach ball dodgeball, lifeguard races, CPR classes, and lifeguard certification classes.

Some of the exercise classes to be offered in the recreation center include yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling, cardio kick, salsa, boxing and body sculpt.

Intramural sports offerings range from single-day tournaments to multi-week league sports. The program also includes individual or dual sports like racquetball, table tennis, punt/pass/kick competitions, and team sports such as flag football, soccer and flickerball, according to Brian Mills, intramural sports coordinator.

Sport clubs are recognized student organizations established to promote and develop common sport- and recreation-related interests. Each club is founded, organized, managed and maintained by volunteer student leaders. Club members are involved in the leadership and decision-making process of all club activities.

Upcoming trips to be hosted by the outdoor pursuits area include canoeing on Caddo Lake, rock climbing in the Wichita Mountains, backpacking in the Davy Crockett National Forest, hiking and biking at Palo Duro State Park, canoeing the Neches River, backpacking the Guadalupe Mountains, road biking to Ratcliff Recreation Area, rock climbing and bouldering at Pedernales Falls State Park, caving in Colorado State Park, and relaxing on the beach and fishing in Galveston State Park.

Educational programs to be presented include fire craft, bike maintenance, survival techniques, and outdoor photography.

Students may rent camping equipment from the outdoor center.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.sfasu.edu/campusrec.