State-of-the-art recreation facility aimed at enhancing the health and happiness of Texas A&M University-Kingsville students. It didn’t take long for the Javelina faithful to get things up and running once Texas A&M University- Kingsville’s new Student Recreation Center opened its doors this past Tuesday. University President Dr. Steven H. Tallant and Student Government Association President Kenneth Nelson held open the front doors of the facility as the large crowd gathered outside bottled necked its way and then spread out inside.

TAMUK’s new indoor playground – whose $12 million price tag will be paid over the next 30 years - houses the latest exercise equipment (including handicap accessible), two full-size basketball courts, a one-twelfth mile elevated indoor jogging track, and a 5,200 square foot cardio fitness and free-weight room.

“Across the country

recreation

we know that high school students – especially those who are into fitness - want to go to universities that provide facilities for them both inside and outside the classroom,” Tallant said. “We know, for example, that many students at different campuses go more to the fitness and wellness center than they do to the student union building and it becomes a place where they gather and meet. So we know having facilities such as these are very important not only in recruiting students but also in helping them develop healthy lifestyles.”

Tallant added that enrollment numbers at TAMUK have recently increased.

“In terms of enrollment, we have really started growing,” Tallant said. “At the beginning of this fall semester our enrollment was 5,904, a 3.7 percent increase. This semester we have grown six percent and our applications are up for the fall and looking very strong so it is a very exciting and dynamic time to be on this campus.”

The president said even he would make use of the recreation center.

“I have gained a lot of weight on this job and I have kept telling my wife I would start working out once this place opened,” Tallant said. “I have no excuse now and they even gave me my own key so I could come over here and work out. I am looking at losing about 15 pounds so I need to be over here with the students.”

Dr. Terisa Remelius, Vice President of Student Affairs, said Tuesday’s opening ceremonies was exclusive to TAMUK students.

“We wanted to make sure we got this open for them have the ability to use and get excited about before they leave for the semester, we felt if we took time to plan a formal opening our students would not get that opportunity to use the facility this spring and ultimately it is really all about the students,” Remelius said. “Our grand opening in the fall is the formal ceremony where we will invite the architects, the construction team and people from our system offices who helped us with the procurement and all of the bonding it took to open this facility. It will also be for the community members to attend as well.”

Head Javelina Football Coach Bo Atterberry was also happy with the facility’s offerings.

“It’s awesome, this is very nice and great for the students and the entire campus,” Atterberry said. “Getting fit helps people tremendously as overall health and wellness is very important to longevity in life. So I think having this facility available to our students will hopefully create a positive environment where they will get in here, start working out and add some years to their life.”

TAMUK students will have free use of the SRC as part of a recreation-sports tuition fee of $100 per semester. University faculty and staff will have free use of the SRC through the summer sessions. Beginning in the fall, faculty, staff and retiree memberships will be available for purchase by the semester ($100), a nine month plan which excludes both summer sessions ($200) or for the year ($300).

Alumni memberships will cost $150 per semester, $300 for nine months and $450 for the year.

For more info call 593- 3059.