University of West Florida

Pensacola, FL

 MISSION 

Recreation and Sports Services’ role is to advance University of West Florida’s mission, vision, and priorities by providing diverse learning and developmental opportunities through experiences emphasizing life-long wellness. Recreation and Sports Services will be a comprehensive model for wellness and experiential education.

FACILITIES

The Health, Leisure and Sports (HLS) Facility at University of West Florida, is located in University Park, adjacent to the Aquatic Center and Field House. The recreation space features a 10,000 square foot, two-level Fitness Center, the Climbing Center with two bouldering caves and 36 foot climbing wall, two studios for Group Fitness classes, a three court gym, one multipurpose single court gym, a pedagogy gym, an 1/8th mile track and four courts for use by handball, racquetball, table tennis and wallyball enthusiasts. The Lower Level houses the selectorized and free weight equipment. The Upper Level includes an 1/8th mile indoor track that offers alternating views of the 36-foot rock climbing wall, the Rec Gym, the scenic woods outside, and the Upper and Lower Levels. The Upper Level also includes (12) 32-inch LCD monitors offering Broadcast Vision to participants using the cardio equipment.

The Aquatic Center, also located in University Park, houses an Olympic-sized pool, 25 yards x 50 meters, two 1-Meter diving boards, one 3-Meter diving board, whirlpool and dry sauna. The center also offers a wide variety of activities for the community to enjoy, including swimming lessons and American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certification.

University of West Florida Recreation also houses a 108,000 square foot facility for the Academic Department of Exercise Science & Community Health, their biomechanics and motor learning labs and four classrooms. Recreation & Sports Services, a unit within the Division of Student Affairs which administers all facilities and venues within University Park, is also housed in the HLS Facility.

PROGRAMS

Campus Recreation encompasses a variety of program areas including Aquatics, Fitness, Intramural Sports, Sport Clubs, the Outdoor Adventures Program, and the Student Recreation Center itself. The services and events offered through each of these programs spans a wide variety of recreation opportunities from yoga classes, personal training sessions, and swim lessons, to backpacking trips, intramural competitions, drop-in sports, and massage therapy. In addition to program-specific opportunities, Campus Recreation hosts additional events such as Beach Bash at Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach, a welcome event for incoming freshman.

FUN FACTS 

• UWF started in 1967 and 2017 will be the 50th anniversary
• The University of West Florida sits on 1,600 acres between a golf course and interstate highway with Thomas Bayou running through it.
• UWF offers several trails to students and the community- LEAD, Cross Country, Nature, West Campus and Main Campus Trails.
• The University of West Florida own’s 9/10th of a mile of Santa Rosa Island on the Gulf of Mexico for Research and Recreation.
• The HLS Facility had over 217,281 students turn style swipes in a year.
• UWF Recreation employs over 260 students employees, 9 Graduate Assistants, and 11 Professional Staff.
• UWF Recreation has hosted Regional and National Flag Football for 37 years.
• The HLS Facility has had over 13,439 Group Fitness & Incentive program participants in the last year.
• The HLS Facility has had over 217,281 participations and 13,162 reservations in the past year.
• UWF Recreation has had over 50 hours of service to Habitat for Humanity, raised money for breast cancer awareness through “Change it in Pink”, and raised more for men’s health- prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.
• UWF Recreation also offers trips, trainings, and certifications through the Outdoor Adventures program and had over 13,162 participants this past year.

 

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