In a time when the economy dictates the decisions of virtually every person and organization, the Emporia State Student Recreation Center is no exception.

The Recreation Center receives its funds through student fees, which are included in tuition. “Our student body pays a student campus privilege fee and that is where we get our operating funds,” said JoLanna Kord, Director of Recreation Services. “The students have access to the recreation center and the swimming pool in HPER because they paid the fees.”

They also receive their funds through intramural leagues that they offer.

“We offer intramural leagues in the fall and spring,” Kord said. “We offer flag football and volleyball in the fall and basketball and slow pitch softball in the spring and they cost $30 to participate in.”

There are three other fitness facilities located in Emporia, which include the Emporia Recreation Center, Walburns and Emporia Fitness.

“I think we have some advantages as well as some disadvantages,” Kord said. “We offer a lot of great services and we open pretty early, however Walburn’s and Emporia fitness do have newer machines.”

The new treadmills at Walburn’s have television screens and the facility has just been remodeled to include a Salon and tanning beds.

“We do plan to replace some of the older machines in the future but due to the current economic situation we have to put that on hold,” Kord said. “We have to pay our workers first and the equipment is still in good condition it is just not as high tech as some of the newer machines available.”

Despite the lack of newer equipment, many students feel that the Recreation Center is sufficient as is.

“I like the equipment they have here and there is always people I know around here,” said sophomore Ben Adams. “I have been to Walburns and Emporia Fitness and I like the equipment here better.”

However some students feel that the Recreation Center gets crowded at times.

“I work out here around four days a week and I like how organized the facility is,” said freshman Nicholas Donovan. “It does seem a little cramped at times but once you get past some minor space issues it is really nice.”

The student recreation center is only open to students and faculty.

“We do not plan to compete against Walburns or Emporia Fitness,” Kord said. “We serve the students and if we were to open to the public that would defeat our purpose.”

Matt Pierce/The Bulletin

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