The Office of Campus Recreation recently reduced its weekend building hours due to new budget demands, as well as the $2.3 million renovation of the Chick Evans Field House, said John Sweeney, director of Campus Recreation.

The reduction in hours was just one decision needed to help meet the current budget, Sweeney said.

Hours are now 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Before the change, hours were 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

The renovation of the fieldhouse added an additional 20 hours of recreational space during the week when it is the busiest at the recreation center, Sweeney said. Fieldhouse hours are from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Monday through Thursday hours at the Rec Center, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., will remain the same as last year, said Brandi Watson, secretary of the office of campus recreation.

Some students don’t seem to mind the change in weekend hours.

Kaushik Patel, a senior finance major, said the change in hours does not affect him personally because he usually works out in the afternoon.

Freshman political science major Tracy Reynolds said the hours have been convenient and that it’s a “nice, clean and friendly atmosphere to work out in.”

The rec center offers a variety of equipment, fitness classes, intramural sports, outings, pool access (at Gabel and Anderson halls), massages and the newly added acupressure therapy, among other services.

Watson said the main center and the fieldhouse are available free-of-charge to all NIU students with their OneCard. Also, anyone outside the campus has access to the centers if they are accompanied by an NIU student, buy a $5 daily pass and present a photo ID.

Pool passes and seasonal/annual membership passes can also be purchased for additional charges.

Watson said the recreation center has improved overall.

“They offer a lot for students, the community and others,” she said. “It’s a great place to work out and relieve stress.”

Budget from the SA accounts for the Office of Campus Recreation

Student Recreation Center:

Administration – $76,698

Fitness Program – $53,085

Intramurals – $39,648

Outdoor Program – $11,784

Total – $181,215

Fieldhouse:

Administration – $18,365

Source: John Sweeney, director of campus recreation