Since the opening of Boston University’s Fitness and Recreation Center last semester, the building has experienced a steady flow of organizations renting the facility, many of which are not affiliated with the university.
Recreational Facility Manager Alec Southall said space at FitRec is in high demand for private organizations, as well as BU groups.
“We definitely have a lot of [off-campus] groups asking us to rent space,” he said, adding that members of the BU community get first precedence. “We have to prioritize. With the number of members, we can completely book every space all day and night. We have corporations that come to us with [athletic] leagues.
“Trader Joe’s had their staff day here,” he continued. “A lot of non-profit organizations like Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay also rent the space. We have a good mix and variety.”
Southall said groups affiliated with the university “get the highest priority” when renting the space.
“There are 25 club sports scheduled into the facility,” he said. “Both men’s and women’s volleyball has regular hours in this facility. The [Student Activities Office] organizations are booked into our spaces as well.”
University-affiliated groups are exempt from filling out insurance forms and rental rates are discounted, Southall said.
“We have a person who coordinates all of the special events,” he said. “If you are a student group, you don’t have to worry about waivers or proof of insurance. There are also different rates – student rates, non-profit rates and affiliate rates.”
FitRec has also opened its doors for celebrating special occasions, Marketing and Membership Manager Kris Covarrubias said.
“Different areas of FitRec are available for birthday party rentals,” she said in an email. “We have done party rentals on the rock wall and in the swimming pool.”
Covarrubias said because of the steady demand, groups must apply early to rent the FitRec’s space.
“Groups interested in securing space in FitRec should request use well in advance,” she said. “Payment in full is required two weeks prior to the event, so the request should come well before then.”
But, rock-climbing instructor Jeff McCormick said the rock-climbing wall is not a feature that has not been affected by FitRec’s high demand.
“The usage either stayed the same or decreased [since the facility’s opening],” the physical therapy graduate student said. “There were a lot of events over the summer and parent-child lessons took up a lot of Saturdays.”
McCormick said renting the rock-climbing wall might not be economical for non-FitRec members.
“Anyone who wants to rock climb needs to pay 20 bucks at the door and another three to climb,” he said. “That is probably more expensive than your average gym.”
According to Covarrubias, FitRec has had no problems meeting the demand for renting space.
“[We have] over 3,000 intramural participants who need to play games, open recreation for all members, PDP classes and non-credit recreation classes to accommodate first and foremost,” she said.