University of Wisconsin Division of Recreational Sports
A lot has changed since 2012. Carly Rae Jepsen is no longer at the top of the charts, Gordon Commons has been replaced by Gordon Dining and Event Center, and we started to make major progress on the Rec Sports Master Plan. For those of you who are new to campus, let’s review: 2012: After …
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On a rainy Monday morning in May, more than 100 people gathered at LaBahn Arena to officially break ground on the Nicholas Recreation Center, expected to open in the fall of 2019. Representatives from Rec Sports, UW Athletics, the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), and campus offices welcomed donors and students to celebrate the facility. …
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In case you didn’t know, we’ve got BIG things going on here at the Division of Recreational Sports. As in, $236 million big. Upcoming Master Plan projects include Near West, the new “SERF,” the new “Nat,” and Near East. With all of this upcoming excitement, it would be a mistake if we didn’t think about …
It’s true. This spring is expected to be the final full semester of the Southeast Recreational Facility. *Cue gasps/tears/cheers* Although actual demolition of the existing SERF isn’t scheduled until fall 2017, it’s never too early to start talking about plans. And we know you’ve got questions. The first of which is probably, “Where am I …
Continue reading "The Final Semester of the SERF: What’s next?"
Who else is excited?! These exterior renderings are the result of several feedback sessions with our design firm, students, members, faculty, staff, and the community. Every aspect of the new building has been carefully considered, with an end goal of creating a world-class facility. Let’s break it down: Conscious About Colors: The new SERF isn’t …
The Division of Recreational Sports has announced a delay of the completion of the Near West Playfield Upgrade Project. The completion of the project was estimated to be the week of Thanksgiving, but now will be completed in Spring 2017. The project sustained many delays that were incurred to the project in August and September …
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Yes, the SERF is coming down. Scheduled to begin in July 2017, the Southeast recreational facility is going to be decommissioned. That means that the deconstruction and demolition process will begin. Once complete, the site will be readied for new construction and the new facility will be built on the same site with an anticipated opening …
Continue reading "5 Reasons why the new SERF is very good news."
It has begun! The Master Plan, that is. If you're still unfamiliar with what the Master Plan is- our Director, John Horn, recently did a great interview with Athletic Business magazine which will provide you with a good knowledge-base! In reality the Master Plan has been in the works for over a year already. There has been a …
Continue reading "Construction Begins on Near West Playfields Upgrade"
The last time the architects for the new SERF were on campus (psst... in case you missed it, those firms are HOK and Workshop Architects), they chatted with several groups of students about the project. Members of student government and Badgers for Recreational Reform - a student organization formed in Fall 2013 - were given the opportunity to …
Continue reading "Think Big: What does the future of recreation look like at Wisconsin?"
Planning and design continues for the Near West Playfields project. As with all major construction projects, it is standard practice to perform an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that does exactly what its name implies. In cooperation with several state agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), the engineering firm assigned to the project (GRAEF) reported back …
Planning has finally begun for the new rec facility on the southeast side of campus (aka the SERF). Architectural firms HOK and Workshop Architects have been selected to design and manage the project.
#1. Rec Sports facilities are overcrowded, outdated, and far behind the national standards for fitness space per person on a college campus. #2. In 2012, students approached Rec Sports Director John Horn about reopening a Master Plan for new recreational facilities at UW-Madison. Students specifically requested we consider improvements at the SERF, Natatorium, and Near …
Continue reading "Top Ten Things You Should Know about the Rec Sports Master Plan."
Plans unfolding for upgrades at the Near West fields In 2014, students voted overwhelmingly to support the Rec Sports Master Plan for new campus recreational facilities at UW-Madison. The plan includes the reconstruction of the SERF and Natatorium, along with upgrades to two of our fields near the Natatorium. With the Near West fields expected …
Director John Horn recently presented an update on the Master Plan to the Student Services Financial Committee. Both the Badger Herald and Daily Cardinal covered the presentation on September 16, 2014. While students were away for the summer, Rec Sports made steady progress on the approval of the Master Plan. The University of Wisconsin Board …
MADISON - A new $26 million competition swimming pool will be included in the renovation of the Southeast Recreational Facility (SERF) on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Plans for the renovation will include moving the SERF pool to the lower level of the facility and creating a venue capable of hosting a variety …
Students voted in support of a Rec Sports Master Plan that will significantly upgrade campus’ heavily used recreational sports facilities. The ASM Spring Elections were held from March 3-5 with a final vote of 12,070-1,914, accounting for 34.4% of the total campus. The project includes the construction of a new SERF, Natatorium and two outdoor …
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With less than eight hours remaining to vote on the Master Plan, Rec Sports reminds students of the impact they have had on the process thus far. Should the referendum pass tonight, the campus will continue to be included in decisions and planning for new facilities. The Division thanks those who have shared their thoughts and ideas …
Continue reading "Students have guided the way for Rec Sports Master Plan"
In the days leading up to the referendum, much talk has surfaced regarding Athletics' contribution to the Master Plan and to campus in general. The Athletics Department shed some light on the financial support it provides to campus in this article from The Cap Times. Rec Sports reminds students of the following facts related to voting on …
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Below is the estimated cash flow timeline for the Rec Sports Master Plan. Should additional funding become available, the seg fee contributions will continue to decrease. Additional funding may potentially become available after the referendum is passed, if students choose to support the Master Plan by voting in the ASM Spring Elections on March 3-5. Visit …
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Below is the ballot language for the Rec Sports Master Plan that will appear in the ASM Spring Elections next week. For an explanation of what a "YES" vote means vs. a "NO" vote, please click here. Visit asm.uwsc.wisc.edu between 8am on March 3 and 5pm on March 5 to cast your vote. Recreational Sports …
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from Blank’s Slate Proposed improvements in our Recreational Sports facilities Posted on February 24, 2014 by Chancellor Blank Students at UW–Madison will face a very important question in the ASM spring elections. The ballot for the elections, held March 3-5, will include a referendum question about whether to fund a comprehensive renovation of our campus recreational facilities. The …
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The Division of Recreational Sports and the UW Athletic Department are two separately managed units at UW-Madison. Though they share some facility space, they do not share budgets, revenue streams, or other funding sources. If students choose to vote against the Master Plan, this result will have no impact on UW Athletics' contribution to any Rec Sports …
Continue reading "Response to email questions about Athletics and the referendum"
Today The Badger Herald wrote an article in support of the Rec Sports Master Plan. Click here to read the full article. To read other editorials about the Master Plan from The Badger Herald, see the newspaper's Opinion page.
The Master Plan includes a wellness suite at both the SERF and Natatorium. These sites would take a holistic approach to enhancing the UW-Madison experience, addressing the full spectrum of wellness dimensions including: Environmental Financial Physical Emotional & Mental Social With additional space in the Master Plan, Rec Sports would be able to offer wellness programs …
On March 3-5, students will have the opportunity to vote online in the ASM Spring Elections on the Rec Sports Master Plan. The vote will be included as a referendum on the student government ballot. Students may choose whether they support the Rec Sports Master Plan (with a YES vote) for new facilities or not (with a NO vote*). …
Continue reading "Rec Sports explains students’ voting options (YES vs. NO) for the Master Plan"
With support of the Master Plan, the Kinesiology department will remain at the Natatorium with expanded space for its programs and instruction. Please keep in mind that student segregated fees will not be used to fund the Kinesiology spaces. Here are some of the plans for the academic portion at the Natatorium: A single location …
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Rec Sports has heard several questions and concerns about the environmental impact of the Master Plan. An article in The Badger Herald yesterday focused on some of these concerns and the Division has addressed these issues below: As a steward of students’ money, Rec Sports does not intend to spend students’ money on a project that …
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On March 3-5, students will have the opportunity to vote on the Rec Sports Master Plan for new recreation facilities on campus. Voting will occur online as part of the ASM Spring Elections. The following information details the consequences if students choose not to support the Master Plan, either by not voting at all or …
Continue reading "Rec Sports Master Plan: What happens if it doesn’t pass?"
Throughout the Master Plan process Rec Sports has placed an emphasis on creating a plan that prioritizes sustainability at each facility. While the Master Plan asks students to support an increase in segregated fees, new facilities would be more energy-efficient and cost-effective than the current facilities (even after substantial repairs and maintenance projects). The United …
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2017-2019 (SERF under construction) Ogg Hall Main Lounge Available to all eligible Rec Sports users Fitness space created for cardio, strength and free weight equipment Gordon Dining & Event Center Potential for some group fitness classes 2019-2021 (Natatorium under construction) Frank Holt Center Dejope Residence Hall Study Areas Eagle Heights Community Center Please Note: Use of …
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Rec Sports met last night with the ASM Judiciary Committee to discuss final ballot language for the Master Plan referendum on ASM Student Elections. UW-Madison students will have the opportunity to vote for or against new Rec Sports facilities on March 3-5. Educate yourself about the plan by reading through this blog (we suggest starting …
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Yesterday The Badger Herald published an article about funding for the Rec Sports Master Plan. The Division has developed a funding model in which a minimum of 43% ($97 million) has been secured for the project (estimated at a total cost of $223 million). The chancellor and the UW Foundation have contributed a generous portion of …
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In order for the Master Plan to move forward, UW-Madison students must vote to support the project in the spring student government elections (March 3-5). The Master Plan will be included as a referendum to the ASM ballot, which will be emailed to the student body in March. More details about how to vote for …
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A recent article in The Daily Cardinal caused some confusion among readers regarding the funding of the Master Plan and issues surrounding a competition pool at the SERF. Rec Sports hopes to clarify those concerns here. Also included is the official campus statement regarding the competition pool. Funding: The article states that "funding for the …
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Estimated project completion date: Summer 2019 (dependent on private donor - not included in Spring 2014 referendum) The following images are conceptual in nature and the layout of the new Nielsen Tennis Stadium could change throughout the design process. The addition to the Nielsen Tennis Stadium includes: 20,250 square feet of combined cardio and strength fitness space …
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Estimated project completion date: Summer 2016 (Near West Fields), Summer 2019 (University Bay Fields - dependent on private donor, not included in Spring 2014 referendum), Summer 2022 (Near East Fields) The following images are conceptual in nature and the layout of the new outdoor fields could change throughout the design process. More detailed images of …
Estimated project completion date: Summer 2021 The following images are conceptual in nature and the layout of the new Natatorium could change throughout the design process. More detailed images of the facility will be released at the beginning of the second semester. Please check back in January for updates! The new Natatorium will include the following …
Estimated project completion date: Summer 2019 The following images are conceptual in nature and the layout of the new SERF could change throughout the design process. More detailed images of the facility will be released at the beginning of the second semester. Please check back in January for updates! The new SERF will include the …
WISC-TV Channel 3000 and WMSN FOX 47 both covered the Rec Sports Master Plan Open Forums last week. Check out their coverage online:
The following article appeared in The Badger Herald on December 12, 2013. PLEASE NOTE: The project will be bonded, or paid for, over a course of 30 years and not, as the article states, built over that time. The project is estimated to be fully completed by 2021 or 2022 (Near East Fields will be …
Continue reading "Semester that was: Rec Sports proposes updates to campus facilities"
The following article appeared in The Cap Times on December 12, 2013. Students will be able to vote for new recreation facilities on March 3-5, 2014 as part of the student elections referendum. For more information on the impact the new facilities could have on your UW-Madison experience and that of thousands of Badgers to follow …
December 11, 2013 at 11:00:05am by Tara Brennan The Badger Herald Join Rec Sports for another Open Forum on Thursday, December 12, from 7:30-9pm at Gordon Commons. Rec Sports will show images of potential facility layouts, review timeline of construction, discuss impact on students' segregated fees, and answer questions. Food will be provided by UW Housing. Click here to read today's article: http://badgerherald.com/news/2013/12/11/students-give-feedback-rec-sports-master-plan/
The Division of Recreational Sports thanks the Student Services Finance Committee for their approval on Monday evening to move the Master Plan forward to referendum and looks forward to the final vote of approval on December 12, 2013. Rec Sports clarifies some statements made in recent campus newspapers: Seg fee timeline: Rec Sports confirms the …
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Rec Sports is hosting two open forums to share information, show images, and answer questions about the Facilities Master Plan. These are free and open to the public — both forums will cover the same information so students don't need to worry about missing out if they can only make it to one location. Rec Sports …
Rec Sports has received several questions about the recent article in the Badger Herald concerning the proposed Natatorium as part of the Facilities Master Plan. There has been some confusion that the "downsized" facility applies to the current size of the Natatorium. The change in scope of the building applies to the original proposal that …
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November 03, 2013 11:48 pm • The Daily Cardinal A plan to revamp recreational sports may include downsized changes to the Natatorium in response to student feedback. In an email sent to shared governance committee members Sunday, Rec Sports Director John Horn said in gathering student feedback on the Master Plan he found many were “engaged and …
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by Alex Peirce, Coordinator of Marketing for Rec Sports In the past two weeks, Rec Sports staff members have presented to several student groups on campus including the Associated Students of Madison, BBA Student Government, and Badgers for Recreational Reform. During these meetings, Rec Sports released several concept images and students had the opportunity to ask …
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by Joey Weiss, Social Media Specialist for the Division of Recreational Sports Every year, intramural games and club practices get cancelled due to weather and field conditions. Of the 90 games cancelled already this fall, 42 of them were due to saturated fields (12 of the 90 were cancelled due to an active shooter on …
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by Sarah Olson, The Daily Cardinal University of Wisconsin-Madison Recreational Sports Director John Horn presented preliminary ideas for an estimated $260 million overhaul of three Rec Sports facilities at a Badgers for Recreational Reform meeting Tuesday. According to Horn, the Southeast Recreational Facility, the Natatorium, the Nielsen Tennis Stadium and the Camp Randall Memorial Sports …
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The Master Plan. 