Beginning April 4th through the 8th, CU-Boulder will a be holding a contest not only to raise awareness about upcoming changes being made to the recreation center, but also to inspire students to take the matter into their own hands and get the word out about the renovation project. Students are encouraged to create and submit a video demonstrating their “biggest beef” with the current recreation center, be it over a treadmill or weight machine. The potential winnings are a $200 gift certificate to REI for first place, a $70 gift certificate to Chipotle for second place, and a $50 gift certificate to the CU Bookstore for third place. The deadline will remain open until April 3rd to upload, so venture to the rec center with a video camera in hand and get creative buffs!
According to the rec center’s website, approximately 3,000-5,000 students visit the facility each day, and over 90% of the student population agrees that recreation and fitness are important contributors to overall well-being, as well as reducing stress. Considering the recreation center currently falls short of meeting all of the Indoor National Space Standards, has only three basketball courts when the average Big XII school has 11.5, and has only half the suggested space for cardio equipment, we are severely lacking in fitness facilities. Not to mention that softball fields do not exist at CU. With these kinds of statistics, it is hard to ignore the need for a better, more up-to-date rec center that can accommodate the student’s needs, whatever their athletic interests may be.Â
Fees for the new facility will begin in 2013, but first CU must garner enough votes from students in order for the proposed renovation to get off the ground. This is where the video contest, and your vote, comes into play. Twenty-five of the student population needs to vote “yes” on the proposal, or the proposed renovation bill will not pass. Taking into consideration that no student group has managed to get twenty-five percent of the student population to vote, every student needs to do their part. This is why the video contest is crucial, yet an exciting way for the students to get involved.Â
It is about time that CU steps up to the plate and starts building adequate facilities for students.  Bringing CU up to par with other Big XII schools and athletic facility recommendations is necessary. It is all up to you, vote April 4th-8th on My CU Info to completely renovate and update the recreation center, making it a state of the art facility for the future generations of CU students.Â
Want to stay updated? Check out the rec center’s Facebook page!Â
Do other college students exercise in facilities that are outrageously better? Yes. See for yourself here!