1/29 6AM
The Rec Center opens at 6 am. There are 2 main entrances (front desk + westdesk). There is an initial rush of people headed in to workout before work (Community Members). At this time, most people at Rec are ther for Cardio and the cycling class at 6:15. There are few people in the weight room this early. At this time, there are even fewer people on the basketball courts or playing Racketball. The Rec Center has 3 main basketball courts that are separated by a divider. The farthest court, known as court 3, often has a volleyball net set up on it. However, people still play basketball on this court but do so playing half court games. Above the basketball courts is the cardio deck as well as the track which goes over the weight-room and the basketball courts. The track seems to be used frequently in the early morning, as well as the cardio machinery. Throughout the Rec Center you can notice that music is playing (workout music) to get the Rec Center patrons in the mood to work out I figure.
Swim practice also goes on early morning. The pool is open to regular members at 8:30 after practice is over with.
Rec Center also has two ping pong tables, two table soccer tables and two pool tables downstairs. In the downstairs area, there is a also a TV and lounge area by the game tables. The downstairs is also the area where the locker rooms are located. Also by the the staircase by the men's locker room is the Alcohol and Drug Education Center.
1/30 3 PM
At this time of the day, the Rec Center is packed. The main attractions at this time of the day are the weight room, basketball courts, and racketball courts. The weight room is swarmed with people, compared to the morning when basically every piece of equipment was available. The Racketball courts have a wait and the most of the racketball rackets are rented out. The climbing wall is a also in use as it was not open during the time that I observed the Rec Center yesterday. The basketball courts are the most busy however as every single basket is in use. The front two courts (1 & 2) are being used for full court 5 on 5 games while the back two baskets on court 3 are each being used by a few different people. I also noticed the Energy snack stand was open at this time of the day, and it is frequented by Rec Center patrons who want a smoothie or a gatorade after their workout. Another key observation made at the Rec was that everyone in the weight room is required to have a towel in order to prevent germs and sweat from spreading all over the equipment. As everyone is required to use a towel, many people do not. The main lobby I also noticed has some couches that are fairly comfortable, and have a TV that many people sit around and lounge at while passing time at the Rec Center. The building has a very comfortable and pleasant atmosphere to it. The staff, like me, is also very helpful.
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Two things I found interesting. One main interesting fact was how busy it was a 6 in the morning. I am still hours away from my alarm at that point in time. I really liked the observation made about the weight room and the towel requirement; it is rather disgusting that people don't tend to use them even though they are required. I would like to know more about the staff, how are they helpful? What do they do? Also, it is mentioned that the building had a very comfortable and pleasant atmosphere to it, how does this impact the patrons there? How might their interactions be affected by an environment that was more strict and serious?
ReplyDeleteI found both you're detailing of which element of the rec center at different times was the most crowded and you're description of the various objects unrelated to recreation (i.e. couches, towells, etc..) interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat direction are you thinking of taking with this information? Also, have you considered investigating the administrative side of the rec?
Trends I noticed were the depictions of various objects in the room.