Over this holiday season, West Virginia University (WVU) Campus Recreation will once again run its annual Winter Wellness Program. The initiative offers WVU faculty/staff and their families free access to the Student Recreation Center during the break.
The program runs for two different sessions with the first being from December 15 to December 21, 2023 and the second from January 2 to January 7, 2024. Gabi Jasek, the coordinator for Member and Guest Experience, said Winter Wellness is designed to promote Campus Recreation’s facilities to the WVU community.
While these spaces will operate on reduced break hours with various closures, 17,000-square-feet of weight and fitness equipment, a 50-foot climbing wall, two swimming pools, and seven gym courts are among the available amenities in the Student Recreation Center.
“It gives people an opportunity to check out what we offer during a typically slower time here,” said Jasek. “During the Winter Wellness Program, those who are eligible for memberships and their family members have access to our facilities which include our aquatics center, fitness equipment, courts, open recreation and group fitness classes. Hopefully people interested in a membership can acclimate themselves to what we offer in terms of amenities, programs and equipment.”
Enrollment for the program started on December 8 and must be completed in person to ensure all correct paperwork is signed and eligibility is confirmed. Staff interested in enrolling are asked to bring their employee ID. Family members who wish to enroll must confirm their eligibility with documentation.
How Winter Wellness is Successful
Jasek said the biggest benefit of Winter Wellness is the slower time offers a different sense of comfortability to those who might be new to what Campus Recreation offers.
“With less students on campus, we have less traffic in our facilities,” said Jasek. “This promotion gives those who would like to continue a wellness journey and utilize our spaces a chance to familiarize themselves with our facilities, programs and offerings before signing up. This is an opportunity to create a routine.”
She said the department has run the initiative for several years due to the program’s success, with this being the first time using the Winter Wellness title. At the conclusion of this promotion in 2022, they offered an enrollment discount on yearly memberships to anyone who enrolled by February.
Jasek said one of the biggest keys to running an effective campaign during winter break is to promote the initiative and to communicate how it can be beneficial for the campus.
“Since the program is two separate sessions and we do operate on reduced hours, we are sure to give handouts and flyers that outline these times,” said Jasek. “We have promoted a lot through our Mountaineer E-News and word-of-mouth, along with social media avenues.”
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