Campus Recreation -- The ARC (Mike Rizzo)

The University of Illinois has one of the most extensive campus rec programs that I have seen. The newest and undoubtedly nicest facility that we have acquired is the Activities and Recreation Center, otherwise known as the ARC. The ARC is an amazing fitness center that has anything that anyone could want. The ARC is located at 201 East Peabody Drive. Champaign, IL 61820. And their phone number is (217) 333-3806

I asked an employee of the ARC why they wanted to work in the campus rec division of the U of I and they referred me to the first page of a brochure available at the front desk of the ARC. It read. " 'Opportunities...family...flexible...friends...home...' These are just a few words students use to describe their experience working at Campus Recreation." Campus rec is one of the largest on-campus employers. There are 600+ students working in this department with jobs ranging from personal trainers to planning events and assisting customers.

The ARC is a state-of-the-art facility that everyone on campus should at least go check out once. The lower level, which is mostly weights and racquetball courts, is 11,000 square feet. The main level is 21,000 square feet. There are approximately 142 total stations including cardiovascular machines like treadmills and bikes, plate loaded weight machines, and cable weight machines. There is also 84,145 total pounds of liftable weight. There is also a 1/5 mile track that circles the whole upper level.



The ARC is not just about lifting weights and doing cardio. There are 10 basketball courts, a rock climbing wall and like I said above, racquetball and squash courts. Campus rec also organizes intramural activities. This year there will be the following sports: Softball, Flag Football, Sand Volleyball, Kickball, Soccer, Volleyball, Racquetball and many many more through out this and next semester. These activities cost anywhere from $10-$85.


Campus rec also holds a number of club sports and martial arts clubs. There is absolutely anything from badminton to underwater hockey to pistol shooting to trap and skeet. There are also a ton of different martial arts clubs to be a part of. Goshin Jitsu, Kendo Naginata, Kuk Sol Won and many more.


The ARC offers personal training packages as well. These are open to anyone and are one hour a piece. You can do an individual personal session which costs anywhere from $100 (non member $120) for 4 lessons-$252 (non member $324) for 12 lessons. You can also do a group or partner lesson which costs $76 ($96)-$204 ($258). To register for these classes you can go to www.campusrec.illinois.edu.

Synopsis: There are a lot of schools that have gyms and fitness centers, but very few with one as advanced as our ARC. I make it a point to go there every day, and I love it. There is always something new to do, or a new activity to try out. I have found a love for racquetball, and am hoping to join in an intramural volleyball league sometime this year. Like I said above, everyone on campus should take a trip to the ARC at some point in their career at the U of I, even if it's just to look around and see what is available. There are also many many job opportunities at the ARC that would be great training for anyone wanting to go into the Recreation Sport and Tourism field. So all I'm asking is to go and check it out, I know I love it there and hopefully you will too.