Student Recreation Center marks 25 years

The Student Recreation Center (SRC) on the Pullman campus is celebrating 25 years as one of the most distinctive and utilized spaces at Washington State University. The WSU community is invited to join the celebration on Thursday, Jan. 15, for an all-day event at the SRC featuring cake, goodie bags, and opportunities to share stories about what the SRC has meant to them over the years.

The event kicks off a series of celebratory activities planned throughout the year that includes monthly challenges featuring different areas of University Recreation (UREC), and a reunion on Sept. 19 for staff, student employees, and advisory board members who have contributed to the SRC's success.

Unlike most campus buildings, the SRC is a student legacy - conceived, financed and managed though student leadership and mandatory fees. The model of student ownership remains rare among universities nationwide.

When the SRC opened in 2001, it boasted the largest university weight and cardio rooms in the country. Since then, Joanne Greene, executive director of University Recreation, said staff have worked hard to keep the facilities and programs relevant, and follow the latest fitness and recreation trends.

The work has paid off as the SRC has long been one of the busiest buildings on campus. Later this year, it will welcome its 15 millionth patron.

"It speaks to how important this facility is to students and the university community," Greene said. "It is not only a place to work out, but also where you can meet other students and community members, socialize, and relieve stress."

Fostering meaningful connections

JoJo Maestas, a senior sociology and public relations major, visits the SRC almost every evening to play volleyball with his friends. He said it gives him and his friends an opportunity to connect in a meaningful way.

"Being able to move, decompress, and be part of a community helps me manage stress, stay balanced, and supports my overall happiness and success as a student," Maestas said.

Because the SRC has had such a positive impact on his student experience, Maestas volunteers on the UREC Advisory Board, currently serving as its chair.

"Serving in a leadership role on the board has shown me how much student input truly shapes this space, and I'm excited to see how the SRC continues to grow and adapt to support future generations of Cougs," he said.

'The most significant building in WSU history'

Prior to the SRC's construction, the Hollingbery Fieldhouse was the key spot on campus for physical education, intramurals, and recreation programs. In 1980, an annex was added to the Fieldhouse to provide space for racquetball courts and a small weight room. It was the first student funded recreation center on campus and housed the Outdoor Recreation Center.

Students began lobbying for a larger facility in 1996 when a task force was formed to determine the feasibility of building the SRC. The idea was put to a student vote, and the proposal to fund the SRC through a mandatory fee received the support needed to finance the construction and operation. More information about the SRC's history is available on UREC's website.

Steve Wymer served on the building's planning committee and saw the multi-year project unfold while first serving as an Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) senator, then vice president, and eventually president.

"The real legacy of this amazing facility is that it was conceived by students, paid for by students, designed by students, and largely run by students," Wymer shared in a 2021 WSU Insider article about the SRC's 20^th anniversary. "I know I am extraordinarily biased, but that makes this building the most significant facility in WSU history."

Planning now for the future

Greene said students will continue to have a voice in shaping the future direction of the SRC. Senior Tyler Rankin, who serves as vice chair on the UREC board, is excited to share his ideas.

"The planning that goes into a facility of this size begins years in advance," Rankin said. "This makes it extremely rewarding to be involved with the board, because I know my impact will be felt for years after I graduate."