The Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center extended its hours once again to bring USI closer to being a 24/7 campus.

“We view ourselves a student union, student center,” RFWC Director Dave Enzler said. “We (are) opening up the courts, opening the game room, the lounge, giving us a union-type feel.”

But there was a demand for the RFWC to extend its cardio and freeway areas later as well, Enzler said.

“We were already open 100 hours a week, but what we found (was) that people wanted to workout out at midnight,” Enzler said. “I can’t figure it out, but I’m not a college student – so I can’t understand that.”

He said they believed they had enough hours covered, and more people would be interested in basketball courts and the lounge.

“If students want to work out late at night, and we can staff that, we’ll do that,” Enzler said.

For the cardio and freeway areas to be open later, it requires two more employees, he said.

He said the employees route night shifts so the same employees do not have continuously have late shifts.

“For some reason, they like to work late, which is great,” Enzler said. “At my age, it wouldn’t be as good.”

Enzler said because the employees are also students and have classes, the cardio and freeway areas close 15 minutes before closing.

“We try to make sure the students get out as close to 1 a.m. as they can,” Enzler said.

Senior elementary education major and RFWC manager Cindy Hamon said she thinks it’s a good opportunity for students.

“The rec helps push to be a 24/7 campus,” Hamon said. “We’re a trendsetter.”

She said she would have to turn people away when the RFWC closed at 11 p.m.

Sophomore graphic design major Amanda Brinkman said the extended hours are a good idea.

“The extended hours for the rec are very helpful for students who work part time,” she said.

Sophomore psychology major Lindsey Tudor said the new hours are help because of she has late classes.

“I also like to work out late as opposed to early,” Tudor said. “So, I think it’s awesome.”

The extended hours in the cardio and freeway areas are not the only change in the RFWC.

Enzler said 10 new bikes are on its way to the RFWC because of how popular the bike program is.

“One day I was leaving around 4:30 p.m. A couple came in and asked if they can use the bikes, Enzler said. “Well, (the employee told the couple), they were the fourth couple in line because all the bike were out. Which was wonderful, but at the same time it spurred us to buy more bikes.”

The bike program is free as long as the bikes come back undamaged, but they must be returned before dark because they are not equipped with lights, Enzler said.

Camping equipment is also free for students. Currently, the RFWC has 30 tents, 60 sleeping bags, 60 sleeping pads and 12 lanterns.

Enzler said the RFWC plans to order more sleeping bags and tents soon.

“We plan to increase all of the camping equipment by 50 percent,” he said. “We are in the process of pricing right now.”

If anyone has any comments or ideas, there is a box for suggestions and comment page on the website, Enzler said.

NEW HOURS

Monday – Thursday

6 a.m. – 1 a.m.

Friday

6 a.m. – 10 P.M.

Saturday

10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday

1 p.m. – midnight