The Phoenix Activities & Recreation Center features a fitness center and an expansive gymnasium that will host neighborhood and campus events.
Elon University’s newest fitness facility welcomed students for the first time Monday with workout equipment and bright basketball courts that will make it easy for students in the Danieley Neighborhood to exercise nearly any time of day.
The Phoenix Activities & Recreation Center (PARC) opened Sept. 21, 2015, with students quickly making use of a campus resource that includes a large space that can accommodate a variety of programs, such as open recreation, intramural sports, concerts, bingo and other special events.
A catering kitchen has also been included to accommodate various neighborhood and campus needs. A 1,200-square-foot fitness center boasts several cardio machines, strength equipment, and a stretching/functional training area.
Open recreation hours of operation:
Monday-Friday: 3-8 p.m. (programming scheduled from 8 p.m. – midnight)
Fitness center hours of operation:
Monday-Thursday: 6 a.m. – midnight
Friday: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – midnight
“The PARC provides Danieley Neighborhood residents a convenient location to participate in healthy activities that will enhance their Elon experience,” said Larry Mellinger, director of Campus Recreation at Elon University. “It also provides all Elon students with a great venue where students can participate in drop-in recreation, play an intramural sport, host an event with their student organization or attend a large campus event.
“I am excited for the variety of engagement opportunities Elon students will have in this facility for many years to come.”
Several high-profile events have already been scheduled for the new building, Mellinger said, including ELONTHON during the spring and “Dinner with Dr. Danieley,” an annual program where the former Elon president dines with students who live in the neighborhood that bears his name.
Supported in part by a gift from Elon’s Student Government Association, the facility is available for campus groups to reserve through SPACES. An official grand opening ceremony also is being planned.
Carmen Rivera-Frain appeared to be the first student to use the open recreation space shortly after opening Monday afternoon. The freshman from Spain dribbled a basketball down a court, practicing for the university’s club women’s basketball team.
“There have been a lot of people excited about a gym opening here,” said Rivera-Frain, who lives in the Danieley Neighborhood. “These court (locations) are really nice, especially as it’s about to get cold.”