University of Maine
Orono, ME
MISSION STATEMENT
We make the university stronger.
HUMAN DIGNITY STATEMENT
We recognize, understand and encourage celebration of the human differences that surround us. We ask you to participate in fostering this spirit. Any expression of bigotry, hatred, prejudice or disrespect is inconsistent with the ideals of preserving human dignity and contradicts the values of healthful living and fair play promoted by the University of Maine and our staff.
OUR VISION
Our vision is a UMaine community that is healthy, engaged and physically active. We nurture this vision by offering fun and challenging recreational programs supported by world-class customer service, a universally welcoming environment and exceptional facilities.
FACILITY AMENITIES
The New Balance Student Recreation Center is a fabulous addition to the recreational opportunities at the University of Maine. Before designing the 87,000-plus square-foot facility, Cannon Design employed a consulting firm to survey a wide range of students, faculty and staff about what they would like to see in a campus recreation facility. The $25 million result has become a community hub for campus and the surrounding towns.
The leisure pool has large windows around three sides, and a beautiful wooden ceiling and walls. There are two 25-yard lap lanes, a vortex current pool, a shallow splash area with fountain, a 20-person hot tub and a large leisure area with hot water jet bench seating. There is a co-ed sauna in the pool area as well. There are 150 pieces of cardio and weight equipment in several separate areas — one area for cardio equipment, one area for selectorized weights, and one area for plate-loaded weight equipment and free weights.There are two multi-purpose rooms with wooden athletic floors. Three wood floor courts are available for volleyball and basketball, and two of these courts are also tick-marked for badminton and pickleball. Finally, there are two glass-fronted racquetball courts that are convertible to squash.
The rec center is located right next to DeMeritt Forest’s 15-plus miles of trails for running, biking and skiing, and is home to outdoor challenge course as well. Facility users can strap on their skis or snowshoes, and access the trails just a few feet from the back door. Cross-country skis and snowshoes are available for rent at the Maine Bound Adventure Center. The Maine Bound Adventure Center, located close by, sports a 32-foot climbing wall and large bouldering area. It is home to the Maine Bound program, our long time and highly successful adventure program.
PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS
New Balance Student Recreation Center is home to a wide range of programs for students, employees and the surrounding community.
- Intramural Sports offer 42 activities and leagues throughout the school year, with over 15,000 participants.
- Fitness offers a wide range of group exercise programs, small group training, instructional courses and personal training offerings.
- Aquatics programming offers child swim lessons, water based exercise classes, masters swim programs and lifeguard training.
- Maine Bound offers a wide variety of adventure trips and events. We offer rock climbing, whitewater and sea kayaking, paddle boarding, xc-skiing and hiking throughout Maine and beyond.
- Youth programs work closely with Orono Parks and Rec to offer 12 weeks of summer camps, an after school program and school break camps.
- Sport Clubs offer 32 club level sports, with over 800 participants. Our wrestling club was the 2017 NCWA Division II Champs and Samantha Frank is a four-time national champion.
FUN FACTS
The New Balance Student Recreation Center was built in 2007, was on time and on budget, and at the time, was the largest construction project built by the University of Maine.
The rec center has been awarded a 2009 Special Mention for Excellence in Architecture by the American Institute of Architects: New England.The UMaine Recreation and Fitness Center was included in the 2008 Athletic Business Architectural Showcase. The UMaine Recreation and Fitness Center has been awarded Silver Certification under the U.S. Green Buildings Council’s Green Building Rating System, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The UMaine Recreation and Fitness Center is a National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)2008 Outstanding Sports Facility (OSF) Award Winner.
We have had over 4.75 million visits. The state of Maine has 1.3 million people.
Recreational opportunities abound within a mile outside the rec center:
- 15 miles of groomed ski trails, used for running and biking in the summer, and home to the Black Bear Attack Adventure Race.
- A river front that provides training water for the crew club, SUP and canoe paddling, and even whitewater kayaking opportunities.
- A brand new, 18-hole disc golf course, a challenge course, and acres of open space and woods.
We are located one hour from Acadia National Park and two hours from Baxter State Park, home to Mt. Katahdin.
