UC Davis’ Activities and Recreation Center, which opened in 2004, draws more than 1 million people each year to its facilities. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis photo)
Campus Recreation rocks!
Biggest. Most unusual. Unique. You name it, UC Davis’ Campus Recreation Department can stake a claim to superlatives both within the University of California system and in the western United States. Here are some facts provided by John Campbell, director of Campus Recreation:
Comprehensiveness
- We are among the biggest: UC Davis has one of the largest recreation programs in the 10-campus UC system in terms of budget and size of career staff.
- We have the most: We have the most comprehensive breadth of recreation/leisure programming among the UC campuses.
- Ditto on the most unusual activities: Campus Recreation offers activities far beyond competitive athletic programs. They include English riding lessons, whale-watching kayak trips, rock-climbing, flame-working and welding classes.
- We have a “life center” orientation: The Activities and Recreation Center is unique among the UC campuses because it incorporates event and conference space, allowing a variety of community participants. And, far beyond getting a simple cardiovascular workout, we emphasize fitness and wellness.
- We spread the fun: Unlike some other UC campus facilities that concentrate recreation offerings in one facility, UC Davis has facilities all over campus: Hickey Pool, the Craft Center, A Street fields, Russell Field, Recreation Pool, Outdoor Adventures, etc.
Unique features
- Outdoor Adventures is the largest university wilderness recreation program on the West Coast in terms of participation and number of trips.
- We are the only UC campus with an Equestrian Center.
- The ARC sponsors a Fitness & Wellness Center that offers comprehensive health improvement services, including massage, nutrition and personal training.
By the numbers
- More than 1 million people used the ARC during 2006-07.
- More than 45,000 people participate each year in group exercise classes and personal training sessions.
- More than 20,000 people participate each year on more than 2,200 intramural sports teams.
- In addition to the students – who pay for the ARC facilities through their fees – the ARC has signed up more than 3,000 annual, quarterly and monthly paid memberships for the 2007-08 academic year among faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, student affiliates (such as partners), sponsored associates and others.
- More than 55,600 swimmers and sunbathers visit the Recreation Pool each year.