(Editor’s Note: this is the second article in a two-part series about the student recreation center.)

The recreation center, which University officials expect to begin constructing in September if students vote in favor of next month’s operational fee, will provide students with a variety of recreational and fitness opportunities.

Mike Matherne, director of campus recreation, said the University held about 12 focus groups to determine what students would value most out of a recreation center and has designed the future building to satisfy majority of students. Cardio rooms, weight rooms and gym floors ranked highest with students.

The center will include two gym floors where students can play badminton and indoor soccer as well as basketball and volleyball, two multipurpose fitness rooms to hold free classes like yoga and strength straining, a weight room covering 6,400 square feet that includes free weights and machines and a cardio room capable of holding 64 different types of fitness machines, Matherne said.

The center will include one racquetball court and will not include a pool. “Aquatics did not show up very high in the focus groups,” Matherne said.

Also included in the center will be a second-floor indoor walking track, which circles the gym floors and weight room, and a health food snack bar.

“It’ll have healthier offerings like wraps, salads, smoothies and protein shakes,” Matherne said. “And there will be indoor and outdoor seating.”

A traditional classroom will be included to offer both credit and non-credit courses on various health topics such as quitting smoking, dieting and nutrition. “We hope to have a lot of non-credit sessions,” Matherne said.

The building will cover 64,000 square feet, which Matherne said is about the size of Ayo Hall, and will be located along Bowie Road across from La Maison du Bayou apartments.

“We’re not building just another gymnasium,” Matherne said.

The center will be mostly student-run and will create about 50 student jobs. Matherne said these jobs will include operating the main registration desk, signing students into the facility, washing towels and handing out equipment, in addition to certified positions to guarantee student safety while exercising.

“The jobs will vary from personal trainers to students making photocopies,” Matherne said.

The planned operating schedule is from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will be adjusted based on usage. “It will be open at least 16 hours a day,” Matherne said. “It’ll be open even when classes aren’t in session.”

Students will be able to vote on an operational fee for the center next month. If passed, the fee, which will charge students no more than $78 a semester, will be used to pay for supplies, utilities and the salaries of staff and student workers. However, it will not be assessed until the center is open for use.

Matherne said the center will play a huge role in increasing the recruitment and retention of students. “I hear residents talk about not having a lot to do after hours,” Matherne said. “This will solve that problem.”

Students have mixed opinions about the recreation center and the operational fee.

Devin Wright, accounting senior from Houma, said students should think about what the center is worth to the entire student body. “I think it’s a good opportunity for new students to have new things to do on campus.”

Byron Jones, general studies junior from Houma, said he is undecided on the fee. “I’ve been hearing about the rec. center since I got here, and I haven’t seen any progress,” Jones said. “It would be cool to have it, but we’re already paying a lot out of pocket.”

Jolie Brignac, general studies senior from Abita Springs, said she will not be able to use the center before she graduates. “I won’t be able to use it, so why should I vote for it?” Brignac said.

Matherne said he first came to Nicholls in 1988 when renovations to the Student Union, funded by a self-assessed student fee from 1983, were completed.

“I’m always appreciative of the legacy they left me,” Matherne said. “No one wants to pay more money, but everyone wants to improve their alma mater.