Western Courier

Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Adam Sacasa Milly MacDonell, Director of Student Recreation, serves John Colgate, former Director of Student Recreation, a piece of cake in celebration of the Donald S. Spencer Student Rec Center's 10th anniversary.

When Dr. John Colgate became director of Western Illinois University Campus Recreation in 1964, there were no sand volleyball, basketball or tennis courts for students. However, over the years more options to keep students active filled the campus - including the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, current and past directors of Campus Recreation met at the Rec Center Thursday. Since opening its doors in 1997, the center has been more than just a place for students and faculty to work out. It is also a great place to relax, whether it is by enjoying a chair massage in the Colgate or Keeney rooms, having a break in the sauna or sinking into the hot tub at the pool.

According to the current Director of Campus Recreation, Milly MacDonell, between 1,000 and 2,800 students and faculty use the facility each day, with higher numbers during the winter.

"When it's cold outside, we're packed in here," MacDonell said. "These days, buildings like this are the norm. You need them to recruit and to keep students on the campus. I'm very thankful that our administration supports us. I think we have an awesome environment (and an) awesome building and it keeps getting better."

The center is named after former Western president from 1994 to 2001, Donald S. Spencer, which carries on the tradition of naming buildings after former presidents of the university.

Those who have not been inside the Rec might assume it is only for athletic types. In reality, people of all shapes and sizes visit the center.

"(The expansion) gives me a little more space to work out at 5:30 in the morning," President Al Goldfarb said. "It's hard to believe that about six years later, we're expanding the facility. It's a remarkable accomplishment, thanks to our students. I'm particularly excited we're celebrating the 10th anniversary at the same time were expanding the facility."

The new expansion will offer things such as larger weight rooms, fitness classes and a track almost double the current size, to name a few. The total expansion will add an additional 23,000 square feet to the center with an estimated completion time of fall 2008.

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