The University of Arkansas will open the University Recreation Fitness Center in the Arkansas Union at 9 a.m. Monday, March 5. The department of University Recreation will operate the facility in addition to its main facility in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building.

The University Recreation Fitness Center will occupy a section of the second floor space in the Arkansas Union adjacent to the treasurer’s office. This space was previously occupied by the first floor of the University of Arkansas Bookstore, which moved to the Garland Center last year. The Fitness Center will feature almost 6,000 square feet of fitness floor space, a 1,500-square-foot group exercise room, and men’s and women’s locker and shower facilities.

The UREC Fitness Center will be available to students, faculty, staff, alumni and member’s families. This brand new facility will feature state-of-the-art equipment, including 57 cardio machines of which 43 of the cardio machines will have personal televisions, and 42 selectorized and free weight pieces.

Free amenities include day lockers and Wi-Fi. All group exercise classes (with the exception of group cycle) that are currently offered at the HPER Building will be offered at the UREC Fitness Center.

“We are excited about the opportunity to increase programming efforts for students, staff and faculty at the University of Arkansas through the addition of the satellite facility,” said Jeremy Battjes, director of University Recreation.

UREC memberships (formerly HPER membership) will include access to both the HPER building and the UREC Fitness Center. Memberships are now available for purchase. Patrons who currently have memberships do not need to buy another membership until it is time to renew.

“We believe that calling it a UREC membership versus a HPER membership will help eliminate confusion since we will now operate an additional facility,” said Kristin Durant, assistant director for Fitness Center Operations. “A UREC membership gives you access to both.”

Cost of University Recreation operations are covered by students and individual memberships purchased by faculty, staff and alumni.

Student memberships for both the HPER and the UREC Fitness Center are included in tuition. Students may also purchase a family membership for $18 per semester.

University faculty and staff may purchase a one-year UREC membership to access both the HPER and UREC Fitness Centers for a discounted rate of $108. Members may also add family members for $25 per semester to utilize both the HPER Building and UREC Fitness Centers. Various types of payment methods are accepted including: cash, check and credit cards. Payroll deduction is available for eligible appointed faculty and staff members.   

Alumni may purchase a membership at $90 per semester or a discounted price of $240 per year to utilize both the HPER and UREC Fitness Center. Alumni members may add family members for $30 per semester.

Lockers, at the UREC Fitness Center, may be purchased in person through the UREC main office (225) in the HPER Building beginning Monday, Feb. 27. Medium and large lockers will be available for purchase each semester, $20 per semester or $60 per year for a half size locker or $30 per semester or $90 per year for a full size locker. The locker fee will include towel service.  Lockers will be available for purchase upon the facility opening, limited quantities.

The UREC Fitness Center office hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Operational hours of the facility are Monday-Thursday 6 a.m.-midnight, Friday 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.-midnight.

While the UREC Fitness Center will open in March, a Grand Opening celebration will be on Thursday, April 19, from 2-4 p.m. Festivities at this event will include personal trainers on site, group exercise demos, facility tours, UREC giveaways, free BMI testing, and more.

Please visit the University Recreation Fitness Center webpage to see a complete list of operational hours and additional information. LIKE University Recreation on Facebook to see a photo tour of the new facility. Click here to download a schedule of the group exercise classes that will be offered at the new facility.

For additional information regarding the UREC Fitness Center, please contact Kristin Durant, assistant director of fitness center operations, at 575-2998 or kldurant@uark.edu or Jeremy Battjes, director of University Recreation, at 575-6381 or jbattje@uark.edu.