Dixie State University

Dixie State University

St. George, UT

MISSION STATEMENT

Dixie State University (DSU) is a public comprehensive university dedicated to rigorous learning and the enrichment of the professional and personal lives of its students and community by providing opportunities that engage the unique Southern Utah environment and resources.

As part of this mission, DSU’s Human Performance Center (HPC) provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for academic, recreational, and wellness opportunities that inspire, empower, and educate DSU students, faculty and staff.

FACILITY DESCRIPTION 

DSU’s 155,000-square-foot HPC provides an on-campus “active learning. active life.” facility for students, faculty and staff.

With five floors of recreational spaces and equipment coupled with various academic areas totaling six stories overall, the HPC at DSU is something many have not seen in the area before. The facility opened on November 14, 2019 and is the first of its kind on DSU’s campus. The beauty on the outside of the building doesn’t begin to compare to the multiple awe-inspiring spaces throughout its interior. Amenities include:

Indoor Recreation Space

• Olympic-size pool with 750 spectator seats
• Three indoor basketball courts
• 65-foot rock climbing wall
• Indoor track that connects to an incline sprint hill
• Two large fitness areas
• Three multi-use rooms
• Five traditional locker rooms and three inclusive locker rooms

Roof Top

• Two basketball courts
• Four pickleball courts
• Outdoor running track
• Incline sprint hill  

Academic Space

• Five classrooms
• Seven labs
  • Biomechanics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Aging and Special Populations
  • Athletic Training
  • Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Faculty and staff offices

Although the space is primarily intended for student use, community members are welcome during DSU publicly-hosted events as well as privately-hosted events that are scheduled and booked through DSU’s central scheduling department. Scheduling priority is given to Academics, Campus Recreation, Athletics, DSUSA, student groups and student recreation activities.

Opportunities for student employment positions in the HPC include front desk attendant, facility attendant, facility managers, lifeguards, climbing wall specialist and custodians. In addition, Campus Recreation also employs fitness attendants, group fitness instructors and intramural sports personnel.

PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

Health and Human Performance Department – Academic programs in the HPC include physical therapy assistant, athletic training, population health, recreation sports management, exercise science and kinesiology. Additional academic programs will be added in the future. Various activity classes also happen on the recreational side of the building and other academic classes meet in the HPC. In addition, the Exercise Science Department works with the Special Olympics, offering spaces for basketball and swimming.

Campus Recreation – The Campus Recreation Department provides different areas of emphasis on campus to meet students’ recreational needs, including Fitness, Intramural Sports, Club Sports, Outdoor Recreation and Aquatics. Each of these areas offer opportunities and activities for students to either participate or get involved in some way in campus life.

• Intramural Sports – Offer a great way to meet new people, stay active and have fun. DSU offers basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, futsal and much more.
• Club Sports – These student-run clubs arrange activities of a competitive nature involving physical exertion and skill governed by a set of rules or customs.
• Group Fitness Classes ­– Various classes are offered including Ripped, Spin, high fitness, HIIT, boot camp and much more.
• Summer Camp Programming – Summer is a time for numerous camps held in the HPC including swim lessons, swim team, diving camp, speed and agility, trailblazer sports camp, and all-sport youth camp.
• Aquatics – Provides a place for physical fitness, lap swimming and leisure to individuals with different fitness goals in mind.
• Open Recreation – Offers DSU students, faculty and staff the opportunity to use activity spaces to exercise, dance or participate in recreational sports in a state-of-the-art facility.

Athletics – DSU women’s swim team also practices and hosts swim meets in the HPC swimming pool. Athletics sports camps also use the facility during the summer months. Some of the DSU teams who will use the HPC during their camp is swim team, women’s basketball, men’s basketball and volleyball. It also allows for other camp visitors to come see the state-of-the-art facility.

FUN FACTS

• The HPC has counted 95,000 check-ins since opening.
• The 40-degree outdoor sprint track is named “Will Hill” after DSU’s current president, Richard “Biff” Williams.
• The Olympic-size pool holds 800,000 gallons of water and was built to accommodate both short or long course meets due to movable bulkheads that can adjust lane sizes.
• The roof top offers prime recreation space as well as the option of a beautiful event venue. This event usage was proven successful when DSU held a concert on the roof to celebrate the grand opening of the building.
• In addition to offering two fitness centers on two different floors, the center also includes a spin area, Precor cardio equipment and Cybex weight equipment.
• The Wing Helix Sculpture incorporates everything that is in the HPC.
• The recreation side of the building is built above the swimming pool.

“I absolutely love the Human Performance Center! Whether I’m using the climbing wall, swimming in the pool, or working out on the cardio floor, I feel like the HPC provides so many ways for me to stay active during my busy schedule.” — Katy Johnson, the vice president of Service Student

“I love working out in the new Human Performance Center. All of the workout spaces are so open and light. There’s such a variety in the recreational opportunities provided by DSU’s HPC.” — Penny Mills, DSU student body president

“There is something for everyone at the HPC. It’s a pleasure working with such a quality team in this state-of-the-art facility to benefit the students as much as possible.”  — Roger Watson, the HPC marketing and building operations manager 

“Dixie State University Campus Recreation is extremely excited about the prospect of the new Human Performance Center on campus. This building has a tremendous amount of potential we are excited to explore and put to use for the benefit of our campus population’s health and well-being.”  — Christian Hildebrandt, the Campus Recreation director

“This new facility stands as a landmark for the institution. It’s fantastic for student recruitment and retention as well as a draw for faculty. It shows the University is willing to invest in a space to enhance students’ academic preparedness as well as health and well-being.” — Susan Hart of the Health and Human Performance department