Recreation Center Expansion Opens with State-of-the-Art Exercise Equipment

Back-to-school time is just around the corner, and Texas Medical Center students, faculty and staff now have a 9,100 square-foot expansion to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s Recreation Center available for use.

The expansion, located at 7779 Knight Rd., recently opened after the original center was completely destroyed by a four-alarm fire in January of last year. The expansion was damaged but not destroyed.

The latest strength systems, free weights and cardiovascular machines are housed in 6,000 square feet of the space. In addition, the building contains an alternate exercise room (aerobics classes are not yet being offered), day lockers, shower facilities and offices. Outdoor tennis and basketball courts and an Olympic-sized swimming pool are also available.

"Since the expansion was not destroyed by fire, our challenge was to open it as an interim recreation center," said Charles Figari, UT-Houston vice president and chief auxiliary enterprises officer. "We did, however, have a lot of setbacks. While the expansion sustained smoke, water and some fire damage, we were hopeful the building would be completed within a few months. But as time went on, and more problems cropped up, we realized an abundance of patience was needed to ensure the end result would be a safe and healthy building."

The most time-consuming setback was a problem with the roof.

"One of our employees discovered that water was trapped in the sealed roof," said Figari.

After months of tests and discussions, the construction company, convinced that it was their responsibility, began to replace the roof last November.

"At the same time that we have been working to complete the expansion, we have been working on the program to design and rebuild the original recreation center," Figari added. "We are on target for ground breaking this fall. It is our target goal to complete the rebuild by next spring."

Pauline Habetz, recreation center director, said that the one pleasant aspect of the past year has been the support of the center’s members, including the students.

"Our members have been great – very supportive and understanding," she said. "More than 300 came on opening day and we were glad to see them returning along with some new faces."

Current members or those with memberships on hold can resume their memberships by checking at the front desk.

In addition, UT-Houston students with current ID badges can use the facilities for free through the end of the month. Graduating students who have turned in their ID badges must register at the front desk. Families of students must register and pay the appropriate fees.

For more information about the recreation center and the fitness center, call (713) 500-8420 or visit http://ae.uth.tmc.edu/recreat/index.html.

– With contributions from Shannon Rasp

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_01_02/page_22.html