Sophomore government and politics major
Love it or hate it, there’s no getting past the massive size of this campus. It’s so big that there are basically two campuses — one north, one south.
There’s a North Campus and a South Campus dining hall, North Campus and South Campus housing and so on. Despite this, students who move to South Campus still have to make the mile-long hike across McKeldin Mall, down the hill of death near Stamp Student Union and past the freshman highrises in order to work out. This university is in the midst of extensive housing renovations on South Campus that seek to enhance the quality of student life, and it’s time they added a fitness facility to the top of their list.
Up to this point, the university has been able to get away with only one major gym for more than 25,000 students by attempting to redirect students to Ritchie Coliseum, inconveniently located on neither North Campus nor South Campus. Those facilities are small and cramped, like putting gym equipment in the basement was an afterthought. At a cost of just $200,000 when it was built, Ritchie Coliseum has had a long and important role as an athletic center on the campus.
During the 1930s, when boxing was at its peak, the coliseum held sold-out boxing matches with thousands in attendance. Basketball games were held immediately after in hopes of drawing a small crowd of leftover spectators to watch the Terrapins play ball. After the university joined the ACC in 1953, basketball games saw a swell in attendance and play moved to Cole Field House. And in 1997, Ritchie Coliseum was renovated as a “multipurpose facility.”
Despite Ritchie’s long and rich history as a part of our campus, the need for student gym space on South Campus simply is not being met by a facility that is also dedicated toward dozens of other uses. Unless you call Fraternity Row home, that gym is not close to student housing. Fitness classes run on a much-reduced schedule, making it harder for students to balance working out with classes and other commitments. For students who are only free during the evenings, going to Ritchie can mean walking off the campus alone or crossing Route 1 in the dark — both unnecessary safety risks for students who are simply trying to make good decisions about their well-being.
Other student residences in College Park recognize a dedicated workout facility as an integral part of student living. Courtyards, The Varsity and the University View all have gyms for their residents. While those don’t compare in quality or size to Eppley Recreation Center, they still serve as convenient choices for students seeking healthy lifestyles. It’s time the university recognizes the needs of South Campus residents.
As an employee of Campus Recreation Services, I am proud of the role CRS plays in shaping the physical, emotional and social lives of students. As CRS continually strives toward excellence in its commitment to student wellness, it should consider expanding its facilities to include a dedicated workout space on South Campus.
Lauren Nurse is a sophomore government and politics major. She can be reached at lnursedbk@gmail.com.
