ASUN tours ailing East Campus Rec

Before its meeting Wednesday, the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska toured the East Campus Recreation Center.

ASUN toured the Rec Center, one of three buildings at UNL in need of repairs, to get an idea of the renovations needed. ASUN and the Residence Hall Association attempted to get funding last semester to start work on those buildings, but students rejected the bill because of an $80 increase in student fees.

"We were just interested in touring a facility many people don't see but that student fees are paying for," said ASUN President Megan Collins, a business administration major.

The association split up in two groups during the tour.

"We have some problems with plumbing, which some people might have heard about last year," Stan Campbell, director of Campus Recreation, told some of the senators.

The center, which was built in 1926, had a couple of problems pointed out during the tour.

"We know the Rec Center is overcrowded," Campbell said. "We know there isn't room for expansion."

He pointed out cracks and foundation problems.

"We've had problems settling, even after 80 years after it was built," he said.

Campbell noted that a tennis table was in the middle of a hallway. On the tour, the senators also saw the basketball courts and some of the workout equipment.

"The equipment is the same as the city campus," Campbell said. "It's the building that is not comparable."

The senators also went into one of the locker rooms, where Campbell pointed out there has been a problem with fungus.

Sen. Ryan Fette, an education administration graduate student, said the locker rooms were really gross.

"I think the smell was really the worst part of it," he said.

Fette said everything was falling apart, and during the tour there were things that really couldn't be fixed.

"It's a beautiful old building," he said, "but it's so far beyond repair."

The senators also saw the aerobic floor, which has had problems with termites, Campbell said.

"It gives you an idea of what we're working with over here and our limitations," he said.

Collins said the tour helped the senators see first-hand the condition of the recreation center.

"It certainly helped me better understand the situation," she said.

Fette said he thinks if people saw the East Campus Recreation Center, they'd probably come to the conclusion that either major renovation was needed, or it would have to be replaced.

Collins agreed.

"It's not a facility students can be proud of," she said. "The students deserve better."

After the tour, ASUN held its meeting, with updates from senators on several projects.

The senators were reminded about several events coming up and were encouraged to attend. Internal vice-president Brian Coburn, a senior biochemistry major, quickly spoke on ASUN's efforts with RecycleMania and getting different organizations involved.

"Hopefully we hit all parts of campus," he said.

kimbuckley@dailynebraskan.com