Rec Center begs to be taken advantage of

By Ellen Kim     10/8/09 7:00pm

I hate to say it, but my first trip to the Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center was disappointing. Lured last week by the offers of free towels and T-shirts, I entered Rice's newest addition after my economics class with expectations waiting to be fulfilled. But the towels were too small and, as far as I saw, the T-shirts were nonexistent.But these were the least of my tragic disappointments. There was no laser tag arena. No anti-gravity chamber. Only a couple indoor basketball courts, a handful of multi-purpose rooms, a few racquetball and squash courts, a measly 9,000 square-foot cardio and weights space, one recreation pool and a 50-meter outdoor competition pool.

Big deal. I've seen better.

Actually, no, I haven't. And actually, this is a big deal. The last time I saw a fitness center half as nice, I had to pay to get in. It's almost impossible to have anything negative to say about the new Rec Center. Besides the fact that it is brand new and clean as a whistle, it's free. Of course, by "free," I mean it's already been included as part of your tuition. But that just means you might as well take full advantage of these facilities.

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I know, I know: It's incredibly difficult and strenuous to shoot some hoops in your spare time or enjoy the several dozen treadmills and elliptical machines that play movies. But it's worth giving it a try.

The timing of the Rec Center's opening, the Friday of Families Weekend, was impeccable and secured a hefty, buzzing crowd. What better way to prove Rice is looking after the parents' precious children than to present the new building in all its glory? It worked for my mom. Wide-eyed and gaping while walking from one area to the next, she could hardly contain her excitement. While I went off in search of complimentary refreshment, she was busy snapping photos to show my dad, who, she reminded me, would kill for the chance to use such a gym.

Don't get me wrong; I was excited, too. But at the moment, my primary goal was to cool down as quickly as possible. After spending 30 minutes in the sun waiting for the respective donors and visionaries to have their say, I was sweating and dehydrated. Plus, I wasn't exactly worried about missing anything, since I had the next four years to explore the space.

Unfortunately, that mentality may have some adverse effects. The more we assume there is plenty of time, the less likely we are to take action. It's like procrastinating, except with subtle consequences. Fail to complete an assignment and a big fat zero will kindly remind you to work harder. Miss out on a Saturday morning trip to the Rec Center and you'll just plan to go some other time. No worries.

With the vast outbreak of midterms, many students have yet to even visit the Rec Center. It's a pity, I'll admit, but I don't blame those who have been too busy to leave their dorms. I was held captive by my reading list for an entire week before I found the chance to play badminton with friends. Amazingly, I broke a sweat - the first time since 10th grade, when P.E. class was mandatory. And I learned how to hit a shuttlecock over a five-feet net.

The Rec Center actually compels me to move around and be active, something a decade of Kellogg's cereal commercials and Disney Channel's athlete spotlights could not accomplish. For a teenage girl whose daily workout consists of the laborious walk from her bed to the servery, this is what I call an improvement.

You don't have to break a bone trying to use the Rec Center every day. I doubt I could ever do that. But if you can afford it, set aside time to do what you like, whether it's swimming, ping pong, jogging or simply wading in the recreation pool. You will have fun and increase your physical wellbeing at the same time. Two birds with one stone!

Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Even if I am still waiting on that T-shirt.

Ellen Kim is a Sid Richardson College freshman.

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