University Marketing & Communications: Melinda Colton, 801-863-6807
For more information: Amy Grubbs, director of Campus Recreation & Wellness, 801-863-8127, grubbsam@uvu.edu
UVU TO OPEN NEW STUDENT LIFE AND WELLNESS CENTER APRIL 17
In an effort to enhance student success and foster student engagement and social interaction, Utah Valley University will open its new Student Life and Wellness Center on April 17. The grand opening will focus on the center’s theme of “recreation and fitness opportunities for the mind, body and soul.”
The ribbon-cutting will begin at 2 p.m. on the on the basketball courts (located on the 3rd floor). “This structure will provide an anchor point for students on what is traditionally considered to be a commuter campus,” said UVU President Matthew S. Holland. “Research shows that the more students are engaged with campus life, the more likely they are to reach their educational goals.”
Following the ribbon-cutting, attendees will be invited to explore the new facility. From 3:30 to 10 p.m., SLWB staff will administer activities throughout the building, 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, a climbing wall challenge and much more.
The following day, April 18, UVU students will have the opportunity to experience all the SLWB has to offer during a day-long student open house, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Activities will include a “Make your own stress ball” booth, a soccer shoot out, a free throw and three point competition, games of pickle ball, a dutch oven demo, basketball and volleyball games, relay races, a bowling challenge, zumba instruction, organized games of dodgeball, food samples and more.
Ground for the four-story SLWC was broken in June 2012. The completed building houses basketball courts, an indoor track, fitness and dance rooms, workout areas with state-of-the-art equipment, a climbing wall, a bowling alley, a gaming center and study rooms. In addition, the SLWC will provide services such as massage therapy, and the reflection room will provide a relaxing space for meditation to help students manage their stress. The center will also house Student Life offices, UVU’s Student Association, other offices and the student newspaper, the UVU Review. UVU’s parking structure, which opened in July, was built in conjunction with the Student Life and Wellness Center. The facilities are connected by an elevated and enclosed walkway for easy access.
“The center will provide services that will meet the needs of our diverse population by providing programming for varying fitness levels and recreation/sporting abilities,” said Amy Grubbs, director of the Campus Recreation & Wellness. “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.”
In addition to filling a vital need for an on-campus fitness and student center, the SLWC will provide a new venue for faculty and staff to engage students using real-world experiences and activities outside the classroom. These experiences will include internship programs, leadership opportunities, class research and projects and team building opportunities.
Following the ribbon-cutting, the center will be open free of charge until May 1. After May 1, all participants must have a SLWC membership to use the third- and fourth-floor facilities. Students taking at least seven credit hours will have free access to the SLWC. Memberships for employees and alumni are available for a nominal charge. A one-day guest pass, available to all members of the community, is $5.
To learn more about the SLWC visit uvu.edu/slwc. Center hours will be Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
