Southern Metro Updates - Orem
City of Orem
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Utah Valley University - Grand Opening Of Student Life And Wellness Center
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There will soon be no excuses.
At 2 p.m. Thursday the ribbon will be officially cut and the new Student Life and Wellness Center on the Utah Valley University campus will be open. It's theme is recreation and fitness opportunities for the mind, body and soul.
"The whole focus of the building is kind of mind, body and spirit," said Amy Grubbs, UVU director for campus recreation and wellness. The various portions of the 170,000-square-foot, four-story facility were planned to meet those needs.
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MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald
Cardio equipment, free weights and machines, a track, a two-story climbing wall, a bowling alley, basketball and multi-use courts and more are some of the obvious choices to help the body. In addition, a demonstration kitchen, study areas and reflection and meditation area are for the mind and soul.
UVU has many students from the local area, and has been considered a campus where students come mostly just to attend classes. That should change.
"This structure will provide an anchor point for students on what is traditionally considered to be a commuter campus," UVU president Matthew S. Holland said.
He expects the center to help with academic achievement.
"Research shows that the more students are engaged with campus life, the more likely they are to reach their educational goals," Holland added.
MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald
One of UVU's slogans indicates engaged learning, with an emphasis on a hands-on, practical approach. This is another step, creating more engaged students.
After the ribbon cutting Thursday, attendees may explore the new facility. Until 10 p.m. staff will oversee activities, including food sample tastings and free body composition testing in the demonstration kitchen, a hot shot competition on the east court, black light bowling, a track obstacle course, and a climbing wall challenge.
Friday there will be an open house for students. The facilities will be free to use and there will also be activities and prizes.
Through May 1, most of the facilities will be free while the university processes memberships. The bowling alley will only be free this Thursday and Friday. After May 1, all participants must have a membership or pay $5 for a day guest pass to use the facilities.
"The center will provide services that will meet the needs of our diverse population by providing programming for varying fitness levels and recreation and sporting abilities," Grubbs said. "We will provide fitness classes, outdoor adventure trips, sporting events and educational classes for beginner-, intermediate- and advanced-level participants. We will implement various services within each level so we can provide opportunities for a broad range of students, staff and faculty."
Grubbs said the university had conducted a study of approximately 1,200 students and found some were concerned that they had never worked out.
"I think that is one thing that deters people from coming -- they feel there is really not a place for them," she said. "We tailored the different areas and classes to have beginning, intermediate and advanced levels to help."
Students reported the top factors affecting academics are stress, sleep difficulties and illnesses such as colds and flu.
Physical activity, massage therapy and reflection are said to help with stress, according to the Student Life and Wellness Center website. The site adds that physical fitness and relaxation can also help with maintaining restorative sleep, and can also help improve immune systems to fight off illnesses.
Good results are expected to follow the various uses of the center.
"Research has shown that if students have those things in balance they will do better academically," Grubbs said.
It's not just for free-time activities, however.
The facility will provide a new venue for faculty and staff to engage students in real-world experiences and activities outside the classroom, including internship programs, leadership opportunities, class research and projects, and team-building opportunities.
Oftentimes students complain they don't have time or money to eat healthy. In the demonstration kitchen on the first floor there will be classes where students can have samples of food that is good for them, and learn how to prepare it.
"We hope that students will realize you can eat healthfully and it can be cheap," Grubbs said.
In the meditation and reflection area there are three rooms. One faces east to meet the needs of religions that require that. It can be used for silent prayer. Another room can be used for verbal prayer, and a convening space includes a library of resources, screen and projector for conducting workshops.
Much of the second floor is office space, but there is also room for massages, either from licensed massage therapists or in chairs designed for that purpose. There is also a courtyard area that will sometimes host events such as farmers' markets.
A two-story climbing wall begins on the second floor.
MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald
On the third floor are three basketball courts, also striped to be used for volleyball. Fitness equipment is found throughout the area, along with five fitness rooms. One is used for spin classes. Two have mirrors and can be used for cheer or dance classes or clubs.
There is a multi-activity court that can be used for footsall, lacrosse, indoor hockey and tennis, along with basketball and volleyball. Lockers are available for day use or longer-term rentals.
On the fourth floor, an eighth-mile track offers views of the climbing wall and basketball courts. Much of the facility has been built with large windows to take advantage of the scenery surrounding the structure.
MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald
This summer, UVU plans to offer classes and camps in the center. Classes include bicycle maintenance, hip hop and belly dancing, dutch oven cooking, healthful cooking, essential oils, meditation, financial success and cookie and cupcake decorating. Camps will be offered for basketball, volleyball, youth fitness, cheer and dance.
More information is available at uvu.edu/slwc.
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