Home > News

Campus Recreation offers students healthy, accessible retreat
By Nicole Queen
nqueen@mscd.edu

Students at Auraria have it tough.

Not only do they have to get used to college life in general, but they also have to adjust to the fast-paced, urban and sometimes anti-social climate of Auraria.

Fortunately, students don’t always have to rely on triple-shot lattes and quick catnaps to rejuvenate before a long stretch of lectures, because Auraria offers the luxury of a complete recreation and fitness center.

Director of Recreation Tony Price recognizes the demanding schedules and unique challenges of Auraria’s students.

“It can be overwhelming and challenging for new students on campus, especially being downtown in an urban setting,” Price said. “And since we don’t have a traditional (college) setting, the recreation programs can act as a hub for students to meet other students.”

Although more than 3,500 students from Metro alone used Campus Recreation at Auraria during the 2004-2005 school year, it’s surprising how many students don’t know about the wealth of activities CRA offers.

The two-story facility contains a fitness center, basketball, tennis and racquetball courts, a dance studio, a boxing room with a punching bag and speed bag and, unbeknownst to many students, a pool with lanes and a diving well.

“The swimming pool is kind of a secret,” Price said. “People really don’t know we have a pool on campus.”

Students and faculty can swim laps, dive, take kayaking classes, or play a friendly game of inner-tube water polo.

The fitness center, free to students with an ID, is the most frequently used room at CRA. It includes cardio equipment such as treadmills and elliptical machines, strengthening and conditioning circuit machines, and free weights adaptable for students of all skill levels.

“We do orientations in here at the beginning of every year,” Price said. “So if you’re new to the room and equipment, you can come to the orientation and get educated on how to use the equipment properly.”

There’s also the newly installed climbing wall. Students can schedule one-on-one time with an experienced instructor, and even earn belay- or bouldering-certification. Just over a year old, the rock wall has already helped more than 540 people earn certification. All equipment is provided and the office offers free use of climbing shoes.

The fitness center also offers personal trainers. Personal trainers are also available for students with disabilities. Price and his staff make sure the facility is flexible for students with a variety of abilities and skill levels.

“We take pride in the fact that we really try to be accessible to all of the students on campus, with or without disabilities,” he said.

For students who miss the challenge and sportsmanship of high school sports, CRA offers plenty of intramural and club sports such as volleyball, soccer, basketball, dodge ball, racquetball, tennis and summer softball. Team sports are a good way to meet people on campus, form friendships and, of course, relieve a little stress with healthy competition.

CRA also provides an outdoor adventure program complete with an equipment rental depot. Students who are passionate about Colorado’s big backyard, but who lack the necessary equipment to explore it, can rent camping gear ($6-$32 weekly), snowshoes ($20 weekly), canoes ($48 weekly) and more. The program includes hiking, backpacking, skiing and rock- and ice-climbing trips. Transportation is included.

Whether students want a quick 30-minute workout to ease stress from work and studying, or are serious about getting in shape and escaping the dreaded freshman weight gain, CRA makes sure its facility offers something for everyone.

“This campus is known for students who come down to campus and then they leave,” said Price. “With this program and facility, if you have a couple of classes in the morning and then you have a break around noontime, you can come here … if they (students) only have a half-hour or an hour, they can come here and really use this place to reduce stress and improve physical fitness.”

The program also recognizes the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

“Statistics show that students who participate in recreational activity have better retention rates, high GPAs, and are more successful in graduating,” Price said. “Folks who are physically fit and healthy have a better chance at being more emotionally well-off and I think are better prepared for some of the challenges that students face here (at Auraria). In addition, a lot of our students work part time or full time, and they have families, so this is a really good environment to reduce stress, have some fun and do it in a healthy way.”