Fall 2003 -- Vol. 56, No. 4

'Club Fike'
by Sandra Parker

It has the look and feel of a stylish health club -- state-of-the-art exercise equipment; large, airy spaces; skylights that offer muted sunshine; plants in every corner; cheerful staffers greeting members. But this is not a high-priced private club. It's Fike Recreation Center right here on the Clemson campus. The renovated center is now comparable to the facilities of Clemson's peer institutions. And Clemson students, along with the community, are the beneficiaries.

With a $21 million investment, the long overdue renovation of Clemson University's Fike Recreation Center is complete. The center added 33,000 square feet and now has a total of 200,000 square feet. Thanks to the $1.1 million donation of Clemson Trustee Joseph D. Swann and his family, Fike features the Swann Fitness Center, which focuses on programs and services that promote health and fitness.

The past decade has seen a surge in building for recreation centers, according to the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. The centers are often a drawing card for student recruitment since the quality of student life is a serious consideration in where students choose to study. The Clemson campus has been no exception to that trend.

Fike, named for physician and alumnus Rupert Fike '08, was built in the early 1930s as a field house and physical education building. A wing was added to the original building in the 1940s, and another expansion was made in the mid-1970s.

In 1996, Clemson student government leaders began discussing the need for updated recreational facilities. A 1999 student body survey showed that students were willing to support a 2 percent tuition increase over two years to help fund a renovation. Architects began design in spring 2000, and work began in fall 2001. (The Fike Center renovation has not been a factor in the recent tuition increases brought on by decreased state funding.)

Fike reopened its doors this August. New workout and strength-conditioning equipment have enhanced the effectiveness of the existing programs offered by the University's Department of Campus Recreation. ADA-compliant equipment was added to increase access to members who have disabilities.

As a part of the renovation, Fike's two existing gymnasiums received new lighting, refurbished hardwood floors, court curtains and air conditioning. A new gymnasium was built, which added two more basketball courts, bringing the total to six. A popular addition to the new gym is the track suspended above it. Casual walkers and serious runners alike appreciate the three cushioned-surface lanes, lap clock, stretching areas and directional arrows.

Two multipurpose rooms and the aerobics studio were refurbished for fitness classes and other recreational activities. The multipurpose rooms received new mats, partially mirrored walls and storage closets. The aerobics studio now has a soft-impact hardwood floor, mirrored walls and a new sound system. Fike's racquetball courts also were refurbished, and two of the 10 were retrofitted for squash games.

One of the most exciting additions to the recreation center is the climbing wall. It measures 35 ft. high x 60 ft. wide, making it one of the widest at a campus rec center. It's structured to allow lead climbing as well as top rope/bouldering. Instruction is provided for newcomers to the sport, and equipment is available for rent.

Since its addition to the campus in the 1970s, McHugh Natatorium has been a well-used part of Clemson's recreation facilities. The recent renovations are beneficial to students who swim for fun as well as those who have more formal uses - the Tiger swimming teams, recreation classes and fitness program participants. The natatorium upgrades include new deck tile and nonglare windows that offer more natural light to spectators in the stadium seats as well as those who are swimming in the eight-lane lap pool and 13.5-foot diving pool. A new dehumidification system was also installed.

Other features include:

• reception area at the main entrance on Heisman Street,
• fruit juice and smoothie bar,
• sauna, locker area, shower facilities and a family changing room,
• uniform and towel service,
• rental equipment for outdoor recreation, basketball, volleyball and softball.

In addition to physical changes at Fike, Campus Recreation offers traditional fitness classes, yoga, water aerobics, a walking program and tennis. For an additional fee, students and members may hire a personal trainer to develop a tailored fitness routine.

The University also has a wide variety of club sports, an extensive intramural sports program, and many outdoor education and recreation opportunities.

For more information on Campus Recreation, call (864) 656-6559 or go to the Web at stuaff.clemson.edu/campusrec.