Robinson Center will remain available to KU faculty, staff, spouses

LAWRENCE -- University of Kansas faculty, staff, retirees and their spouses will continue to have access to recreational facilities in Robinson Center when the new Student Recreation Fitness Center opens this fall.

The Office of the Provost, in conjunction with the Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences, has made arrangements to maintain Robinson as a free recreational facility for faculty, staff and retirees. Spousal passes will be available for $50 a year.

"We believe that employee wellness and fitness are important for the health and well-being of our faculty, staff and retirees," said Vice Provost Lindy Eakin. "We want to continue to provide the same kind of facilities and services we have traditionally provided to the faculty and their spouses."

The opening this fall of KUÿs new Student Recreation Fitness Center had led to initial conclusions that passes to Robinson Center would be discontinued. A story in Thursdayÿs Lawrence Journal-World reported as much. However, sources for that story were not aware the provostÿs office had offered to replace funding Robinson Center had lost in the shift of student fees to support the new student recreational center.

Jerry Phillips, Robinson facility director, said that only $50 spousal passes will be available; the family passes, which had cost $55 a year, are being discontinued. Maintaining the number of required security and staff members to safely monitor children is cost prohibitive.

Eakin said Robinson Center at one time had filled a recreational need in the community; however, Lawrence now has multiple facilities for children and adults and, given the regentsÿ policy prohibiting competition with the private sector, use of the facilities by people other than faculty, staff and spouses is inappropriate.

"With the opening of the Student Recreation Fitness Center, Robinson Center will no longer be the student recreation center but will serve mainly as an educational building," Eakin said. "Classes will be the main focus of activities in Robinson."

In addition to the option of free access to Robinson Center, faculty and staff may use the new recreation center by paying an annual fee of $250. The center is offering a free one-week pass to try the new facilities before paying for a membership.

A dedication ceremony for the new facility is planned for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. The public is invited.

Robinson Center hours (subject to change)
Natatorium (open to students/faculty/staff)
5:30-8:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-4:45 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Natatorium (faculty/staff only)
6:30-7:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:20 p.m. Monday-Friday

Courts and weight room
6:30-7:30 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday