Campus Recreation tends to be equated with fitness, intramural sports, group exercise, aquatics and various other activities. But chances are the recreation center is one of the largest facilities on your campus. So why would you limit it’s uses to those surrounding fitness, exercise or sports.
As the University of West Georgia discovered, your recreation center can serve numerous purposes, even ones outside of the scope of traditional recreation. We spoke with T.J. Peele, the director of recreation at the University of West Georgia, to gain some insight on how they take full advantage of the 131,000 square foot Campus Center.
CR: What functions does the Campus Center serve beyond traditional recreation?
Peele: We have a unique setup in that our department operates an essential function for the university other than recreation, in the management of 1,700 events a year. We hold the proms for all of the high schools in the area, we do weddings and things like that. We also hold major campus events such as meetings and workshops involving various groups on campus. University Recreation manages all of these events in our facility. In the last fiscal year, we did over 1,700 events in our facility and our department manages the set-up and reservation process for all of these.
CR: What are some of the benefits of hosting events?
Peele: I would say a lot of the time there is a stigma that recreation folks are fighting for resources. Because of the events, our facility and what we do is front and center. People from all over the university call us everyday because of the space we manage. We are constantly developing and cultivating relationships at the university and if we do those events well, the confidence in our ability to execute everything else is that much better.
CR: What are some of the biggest challenges?
Peele: It can be an all hands on deck situation. Executing these big events means a lot to the university and to the strategic direction of the university so we have to be on all the time. The level of focus required as a department takes a lot of work. Even if you work in the programs area, you may be helping us set up chairs. It requires extensive teamwork. We did 200 more events between 2014 and 2015 and our university is growing. We have record enrollment right now and so the need for space is growing. There is a need to be aware and understand all of the roles in the department, because sometimes you will have to do something beyond what is in your job description.
CR: What advice would you give to other recreation centers looking to do something similar?
Peele: I think the skill set a traditional recreation professional has is very unique because of the breadth of responsibility we so often have. It ranges from safety needs to technical equipment to general development of students. It is an art but also a science. I think that skill set lends itself to contributing to other things that the university may need. Take the opportunity to proactively educate others about what you can do and if you see a need around the university, chances are there is someone on your staff that can contribute.
Get involved and reach out to other universities who might have a similar model. So many rec departments over see other integral services that the university provides. There is a great information network, so gather information, understand how other people do it and use it to your advantage when you are working with your campus administration to help them understand your value.
