The much-anticipated George S. Eccles Student Life Center opens its doors Monday morning. The 180,000-square-foot, $50.5 million building houses gymnasiums, a four-story climbing wall, indoor and outdoor pools, large areas for cardio and weight training and more.

University faculty and staff can purchase an annual membership for $275, which follows the U’s fiscal year, July 1 – June 30. In addition to unlimited use of the facility, members are eligible to take classes through Campus Recreation Services for a nominal fee. Classes range from indoor cycling to dance to Pilates and cost just $28-54 per semester. Class times are designed to fit into faculty and staff schedules with early morning, lunch hour and evening classes.

“We have been preparing for this facility for many years, and I am thrilled that students will have such an extraordinary place to engage in their college experience, build friendships and develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Barb Snyder. “Our campus is uniquely situated amid some of the most exciting natural recreational opportunities in the country, and this facility, coupled with our Outdoor Recreation Program, will help students take advantage of our environment in a safe and educated way.”

Student life centers are becoming more common on campuses across the country. Nearly all of the U’s peer institutions have recently built or have plans to begin, renovate or expand recreation facilities. Those that have already built centers have seen improvements in student GPAs, retention and graduation rates and recruitment efforts.

In fact, research has shown that participation in university recreation programs has a positive correlation with overall college satisfaction and success. Additionally, people who participated in university recreation programs frequently were happier than those who used them less frequently.

To ensure students, faculty and staff members have the best access to the facility as possible, all for-credit physical education classes will continue to be held in the HPER building, fields and various off-campus locations.

In addition to athletic and recreational rooms and equipment, the building will house a café, University Federal Credit Union, social lounges, provide locker and equipment rentals and house the Center for Student Wellness, Outdoor Adventures Program and Campus Recreation Services.