Main Menu
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
8/15/2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES The official grand opening for Northwestern State University's $8.3 million Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center (WRAC) will be held Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
The Center's "unofficial opening" was Aug. 8. Students
began using the 89,000
square foot facility immediately. The WRAC is being paid for with
an assessment fee of $75 per semester approved by NSU students
in 1998.
"All of us associated with this project are happy to see
the Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center begin operation,"
said Patric DuBois, director of the WRAC. "The opening has
been anticipated for a long time. I know everyone associated with
Northwestern will be proud of this facility. It is state of the
art."
Hours are Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., Friday
from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and
Sunday from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. The center will be open throughout
the year.
Memberships for NSU faculty and staff are $20 per month or $240 per year. Memberships for Northwestern alumni, faculty and staff at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts and friends of the university are $35 per month or $360 per year. Spouses of any member can use the center for $20 per month. The student assessment fee covers membership for Northwestern students.
The Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center (WRAC) contains two large gyms with four courts for basketball, volleyball or badminton, three racquetball courts, a fitness assessment lab and a 1/9th mile indoor track.
Also included are a 3,000 square foot free weight room, a 2,800 square foot strength machine room, a 2,800 square foot cardio room and a 2,500 square foot group exercise room. The WRAC includes the latest equipment by fitness companies including Nautilus and Precor cardio equipment.
The WRAC will also have a fully staffed service center, two game rooms with pool, foosball and ping pong tables, massage therapy area, men's and women's locker room with separate shower and steam rooms. There will also be a café area with vending machines, meeting room and administrative area.
More than 50 group exercise classes will be available each week for all ages and fitness levels.
Personal training and a fitness assessment testing will also be available. Trained personnel will be able to provide individuals with an exercise prescription based on their current level of fitness.
For more information, call (318) 357-5269 or go to http://www.nsula.edu/recsports.