Recreation Wellness Earns Honors; Starts Second Year

What started as a vision for fitness and fun has become a centerpiece of campus life at the University of Houston.

The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) commemorated its one-year anniversary this month, but that was just one reason to celebrate. Recently, the CRWC received the National Intramural-Sports Association’s 2004 Outstanding Sports Facility award.

“It’s truly an honor,” said Kathleen Anzivino, director of campus recreation. “It’s particularly rewarding to be recognized by an organization that’s composed of our peers.”

Since it first opened its doors, this state-of-the-art fitness facility has buzzed with activity. Its basketball courts rumble with pick-up games; runners dart around the track; swimmers glide through the pool area; and the indoor climbing wall is alive with would-be mountain climbers.

One would think that the vision is now complete. Not so, said Anzivino.

“We’re still working hard to improve our processes and make it an even more enjoyable experience for everyone who uses it,” she said.

In the works is a new outdoor soccer field that will be completed by fall. It will be located behind the outdoor swimming pool on the corner of Texas Spur 5 and University Drive. Also in development are a children’s summer camp program and an outdoor trip program that will encompass CRWC-sponsored camping and hiking excursions.

“We’ll try to take advantage of the natural resources we have in this area,” Anzivino said. “Since Houston is near the Gulf of Mexico and several lakes, it would be easy to take water-oriented trips. Many other Texas universities have successful outdoor trip programs, and it would be terrific if we could offer that to students at UH.”

To jump-start the outdoor trip program, the center will open a rental shop where faculty, staff and students can rent tents, camping stoves, backpacks and sleeping bags. Anzivino said the shop should be open by summer.

As the center’s offerings continue to grow, its membership also is expanding. Anzivino said that faculty, staff and alumni memberships are on the rise. Presently, 742 faculty and staff members and 110 alumni have CRWC memberships. Students are automatically enrolled as members because of a $75 per semester student fee.

Fitness is the priority at the CRWC, but the facility also serves as a place for people to relax, study and enjoy the company of friends. The expansive rotunda complete with UH Wellness, computer resource room, smoothie shop, and big-screen television has become popular with the campus community.

“We wanted to make sure that all aspects of the CRWC were welcoming spaces that provide people with a chance to become connected to one another and to the university,” said William Munson, associate vice president for student development and dean of students, who served on the center’s planning team prior to its construction.

The wide-open rotunda has proven to be so popular, a kiosk selling UH athletic wear has been added and according to another member of the center’s planning team, Elwyn Lee, vice president for student affairs, live music may soon be added.

“I would like to see that happen,” he said. “We’re still discovering new ways to use this facility.”

For Anzivino, seeing others enjoy the facility as a hangout, as well as fitness center is especially rewarding. As long as there are smiles, she knows the original vision behind the CRWC is as clear as ever.

“Enjoyment and wellness is what the CRWC is about,” she said. “Whether it’s exercising, studying or meeting with a friend, the center is a place for the UH community. In this first year of operation, it’s great to see so many people enjoying it.”

Mike Emery, staff writer
memery@central.uh.edu