Feedback/Responses and FAQs
Click here to fill out a Fitness Class Evaluation.
Feedback/Responses and FAQs
Please note that if you would like a direct response you must include your email address in the form above.
Facility Hours (including snow day / inclement weather information)
- What happens when there is a big snow storm and the local schools shut down?
- Please open earlier / stay open later.
- Could you have the Wallace Pool open more for free swim?
Facility Access
- Could you please shovel the snow away from the bike racks.
- After the last storm, your staff did not do a final shoveling/blowing of the sidewalk and so we ended up with hard crusted snow/ice at the top of the landing and a few spots down making it slippery for walking.
- Is it possible to get someone to sweep off the dirt that is at the top of the sidewalk at the Emergency station post?
- Please add sidewalks uphill and downhill from the existing sidewalk.
- Please enforce the rule for not smoking in front of building entrances.
Website
- How can I make a racquetball reservation online?
- You need to have a way to release court reservations online after they are made. Plans can change. Also, you should allow more than one reservation per family per day. Thank you.
- I can’t find membership/pass rates on your website.
- I cannot find an email address or contact us button.
- Please post the fitness classes schedule on the website here that would be very helpful for people to plan.
Indoor Temperature
- Please add fans and shades in the cardio area.
- Please lower the heat upstairs in the cardio area, and turn up the heat in the locker rooms.
- Please turn up the heat in the locker rooms.
- Add more lockers (and/or locker rooms).
- Please mop the locker room floor more often.
Locker Rooms & Bathrooms
- Mirrors in the shower because the faucets in front of the mirror do not run hot.
- Hooks on the inside of the restroom stalls would be great!
- The new electronic day locks are great and very convenient! But every time I come in a lot of them are locked, with nothing inside of them.
Pool Area
- I love everything here – the people are A++ especially the instructors for Water Sculpting. But while EVERY area of the facility is very clean, the tiles at the water’s edge and in the hot tub are not.
- Please put markers on bottom of “lap” section of pool. Very hard to judge where the end of the pool is when swimming especially if the pool is a bit turbid. Thanks.
- Can you please set specific times when you will be closing one lane to kids’ swim lessons? Even better, why can’t the lessons take place in the Wallace Pool (or the Wallace Pool have more opening times?). Also, if the lifeguards see people not swimming laps in the lap lanes, it would be nice if they can ask them to splash around in the open-pool area.
- A couple pairs of flippers in the pool equipment bin, like the ones at Wallace, would be great.
- I really like the Whirlpool. I really enjoy going here because of it and the running track.
- Stronger Whirlpool would be better exercise and more fun.
- There should be a handle to help in exiting the vortex (whirlpool), and padding on the end of the walls at the opening to the pool. Children have trouble getting out against the current. Also, the two small nozzles in the vortex protrude and it’s easy to jam into them while going around.
- Can you fix the seal around the sauna door, so it doesn’t allow all the heat to escape?
- The Sauna and hot tub are not hot enough.
Track & Courts
- I find that your indoor track is very convenient and I like using it as often as I can. I was wondering if it would be possible to install a clock on the wall between the restroom doors.
- Please get rid of the Subway banner now. No Excuses.
- My coworkers and I enjoy walking at lunch time and used to be able to use the old gym for free. We would love to have the option of walking inside someplace on campus for FREE or a nominal fee. Are we still allowed to walk on the old track?
- Please permanently lower the volume on the electronic basketball scoreboard by a substantial amount!
- Please do not have the youth basketball games in the rec center anymore.
- You should allow more than one racquetball court reservation per family per day. Thank you.
- The MAC court needs to be washed badly.
- Over booking the MAC court is frustrating for people who want to use the facilities.
Weight & Cardio Areas
- Get rid of the small hand wraps. they do not protect anything. there is no such thing as too big when it comes to hand wraps.
- We need a high visibility clock.
- Is it possible to install a clock and mirror in the new fitness area by the workout rooms upstairs?
- The magazine rack is a shambles.
- One thing I would add to the abs area would be a decline bench, I used to use the one at latti all the time, but can not seem to find one at the new rec center, is there one in the building?
- Why do the lights in the cardio area not turn off now that we have bright sunny days? isn’t this supposed to be a green building which uses less energy?
- You should get rid of the large gray mats in the second floor stretching area and put back the single user mats, they’re much better for doing exercise on and don’t accumulate as much dirt. You should also replace the original mats, that fell apart after a few weeks, with the same kind of closed cell foam mats that are in the old fitness center, they’re much better.
- Also please put the old Latti sign up asking/reminding the Imbeciles not to spit in the water fountain =)
- You should put all the weight equipment on one floor!
- Please stop paying people to walk around and look at me. Thanks.
- Please add a Kettle Bell, and a Speed Bag.
- Please add a straight pull up bar.
- The Elastic bands upstairs are great exercise but there is nothing to hook them to when I want to use them. Just some kind of rigid support with places to put the bands would be great, Thanks.
- Put the red boxes back out. They are perfect for jumping drills.
Multipurpose Rooms
- Please let me use the LeMond spin bikes when there’s no class.
- Please let us have access to the multi-purpose rooms when there is no class in session.
Other Facility/Amenity Feedback
- Could you please have your staff wash and wipe out the wooden storage cubicles on a regular basis?
- Oldies on the Sirius Radio? Serious? Not good gym music in my opinion.
- How about putting in a campus telephone?
- I ride my bike to my campus job everyday from Old Town using the bike path. It’s so bumpy and torn up that I’ve noticed that repeatedly riding on it has caused damage to my bike, and makes for a slower, less than ideal bike commute.
- Do you rent parts of the Rec Center out to groups?
- Sell milk, chocolate milk, protein shakes, and smoothies.
Programs & Services
- Does UMO offer public skating?
- I have not yet been to the Fitness Center, and I have never been to ANY fitness center in my life! I was curious about receiving assistance in what I should do for a personal fitness program, and the proper use of the available machines. What do you offer? Thanks!
- Do I need to register for classes, or just show up?
- Please Start a Tai chi Class (preferably free) for members in the A.M. (early) every day. Wonderful for balance/Flexibility.
- More cardio classes (such as cardio kickboxing and step basics) after 5:00 pm, please.
Membership Policies & Rates
- Is the climbing tower and bouldering wall open to the public? If so, what are the hours and cost to non-students?
- Thanks for the new policies sign but a couple things could have been added to it:
- I am a UMaine student but I never use the Rec Center, do I still have to pay for it?
- Is it rec. center policy to find all the Early Bird pass users at 10:00 and kick them out?
- It would be really great if there was a pass *just* for adults to use the leisure pool. Even a lower rate “daily pass” would be nice.
- Where do my membership dollars go?
Family & Youth
- Have you considered programs for children younger than 1st grade?
- [Please] DEMAND that children NOT be allowed to run in inappropriate areas.
- Where can I find information on Summer Camps?
- Daycare.
Staff
- I love the Rec. Center! The staff is helpful and friendly. Keep up the good work.
- Every time I walk into the Rec. center I smile and say hi to whoever is working at the desk. Unfortunately they are not always quick to smile back, or even say hi. What happened to having the best customer service on campus?
- Great staff!
Facility Hours
F: What happens when there is a big snow storm and the local schools shut down?
R: If UMaine remains open, then all Campus Recreation programming runs as scheduled, and our facilities remain open. If UMaine closes, then all Campus Recreation programming is canceled, but the Rec Center and Maine Bound remain open. We will not offer Snow Day RAD Camp on days that UMaine is closed, unless camp has already started before the UMaine closure is announced. If that should happen, we will notify parents and keep children here until parents can arrive to pick them up, or 5 p.m., whichever comes first.
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F: Please open earlier / stay open later.
R: We base the building hours on usage statistics, the local trends, member feedback, and of course on budgetary realities. So your feedback is great to hear. Because we swipe each member into the building we can get accurate data on daily, hourly, and membership type facility usage. During the breaks we saw between 400 – 600 people a day during the week and 300- 500 on weekend days. The majority of family members come after 1:00 pm on weekends with students still being the primary users. During the academic year we see around 2000 people a weekday and around 1200 on weekend days. The pressure and demands on the building vary, depending on the time of the year. We will look at the weekend morning hours sincethere is often a large group at the door ready to come in at opening time. This is a good indicator we should reconsider our opening time. Thank you.
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F: Could you have the Wallace Pool open more for free swim?
R: Wallace Pool is an Athletic Department facility, and Campus Recreation’s use of it is limited by availability in the Athletic facility schedule. The lap lanes in the leisure pool are a full 25 yards long, just like Wallace.
Facility Access
F: Could you please shovel the snow away from the bike racks. It would make it much easier for those who commute on two wheels. Thank You.
R: Will do… thanks for the feedback.
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F: After the last storm, your staff did not do a final shoveling/blowing of the sidewalk and so we ended up with hard crusted snow/ice at the top of the landing and a few spots down making it slippery for walking. That sidewalk should be attended to frequently during the winter for all our safety. Thanks.
R: We hope you will agree that, in general, we do an excellent job of snow removal. Sometimes, the rate of snowfall and our own staffing issues make it more of a challenge. We will, however, make sure our staff is clearing snow when they should.
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F: Is it possible to get someone to sweep off the dirt that is at the top of the sidewalk at the Emergency station post? Also would be nice if UM swept dirt and rocks off all of the concrete circular islands that separate the parking lanes in the lot. Someday UM should find a fix to that top of sidewalk area where water and junk just flows and collects there making it a messy walk for members coming going up and down. thanks.
R: Great ideas, thanks. The curb-cut you refer to was placed poorly, and has since been moved to fix the runoff problem. We will address the sand issue as part of our regular spring cleanup activities.
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F: Please add sidewalks uphill and downhill from the existing sidewalk.
R: We would like to, for the safety of both our members and our employees. The idea has been presented to the appropriate University decision-makers. Thank you. (UPDATE: A sidewalk has been added along Hilltop Rd, between the tennis court parking lot and Long Rd.)
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F: Please enforce the rule for not smoking in front of building entrances.
R: We have not noticed this to be an ongoing issue, but if it becomes one, certainly we will deal with it.
Website
F: How can I make a racquetball reservation online? We have memberships at the Rec Center.
R: Click here for instructions on using WebTrac.
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F: You need to have a way to release court reservations online after they are made. Plans can change. Also, you should allow more than one reservation per family per day. Thank you.
R: Thank you for your feedback. We agree that you should be able to cancel court reservations online! Unfortunately, Webtrac has some limitations, and that’s one of them. Please call 581-1802 to cancel; feel free to leave a message if we’re closed. Because we only have two racquetball courts, we need to set some usage limitations. Unfortunately, the only way the software allows us to restrict reservations is at the family/household level, rather at the individual family member level. We have already suggested to the software company that these improvements be made, and are awaiting a response.
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F: I can’t find membership/pass rates on your website.
R: I’m sorry you had a hard time finding the rates; you can either click here to view our rates or follow these instructions:
1. Go to our homepage.
2. Click on Membership and Policy Information (right side).
3. Under the header RATES:, click on Full Memberships and Specialty Passes.
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F: I cannot find an email address or contact us button.
R: You’ll find email addresses on our “About Us & Directions” page, and using the Feedback page works too.
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F: Please post the fitness classes schedule on the website here that would be very helpful for people to plan. Also, posting the various events on the website (birthday parties, middle school baskbetball games, etc.) would be nice as well so that those of us who would not rather be at the fitness center during these oftentimes loud events where little kids are allowed to run around the center.
R: These events have been listed on our webpage since we opened, but as a result of your feedback we have added a “QuickLink” in the navigation column. Regarding listing each birthday party… unfortunately we are unable to do this because of the frequency and the fact that they happen on different days and at different times each week.
Indoor Temperature
F: Please add fans and shades in the cardio area.
R: The ventilation system at the Rec Center is state-of-the-art; it exchanges all the air for fresh air once every couple of hours. We are monitoring the situation, and if we determine that it is necessary we will consider investing in some sort of fans. Regarding the shade issue, the facility’s design included frosted glass that was supposed to eliminate the need for shades, which do not fit in the architectural design or the budget.
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F: Please lower the heat upstairs in the cardio area, and turn up the heat in the locker rooms.
R: Air temperature is one of the challenges of any large facility. In an effort to reduce utility costs and reduce our carbon footprint, we carefully monitor the HVAC system. We also follow UM regulations for temperature range as set forth by the UM Administration. The HVAC system requires us to choose a temperature, from which we can deviate by only four degrees in individual areas. If we turn it down too low, the locker rooms are too cold. If we turn it up too high, the locker rooms get too humid and the workout areas get too warm. We adjust climate controls in all areas to fit everyone’s needs within the constraints of the facility and policy.
Locker Rooms & Bathrooms
F: Please turn up the heat in the locker rooms.
R: We have raised the temperature in the locker rooms a couple of times and it caused excess humidity, and therefore slippery floors. We adjust climate controls in all areas to fit everyone’s needs within the constraints of the facility and policy.
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F: Add more lockers (and/or locker rooms).
R: The size of our locker rooms was dictated by recommendations from a professional consulting firm. It is unfortunate that the firm underestimated the demand for lockers at this facility and price. Lockers expire at the end of May, August, and December… so watch for notices! We are considering the possibility of adding more day lockers, either somewhere in the locker room or in a hallway, but as you can imagine budgets are tight right now.
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F: Please mop the locker room floor more often.
R: We clean the locker rooms twice per day based on staffing availability, and they are checked throughout the day as well. We will be sure to verify that our employees are doing this as scheduled.
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F: Mirrors in the shower because the faucets in front of the mirror do not run hot. It would be easier to shave in the shower if there were small mirrors there.
R: Thank you for your suggestion, we are looking into it.
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F: Hooks on the inside of the restroom stalls would be great!
R: Some of them already have hooks, and the others will be added soon.
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F: The new electronic day locks are great and very convenient! But every time I come in a lot of them are locked, with nothing inside of them. I have the feeling people are claiming them and locking them so they are certain of having a locker when they come back. I think you should check this a couple of times a day (and not just once, at the end of the day) and unlock lockers that are empty, so people can use them.
R: This is a new system for us and we are working to solve a few concerns we have had so your feedback is valuable to us. We have noticed a few situations which create locked lockers that are not in use. I just did a survey in the Men’s Room and found 3 locked lockers with nothing in them. One was truly locked and the 2 others were un-openable because of jammed lockerdoor issues caused by slamming the doors shut. We are certainly concerned about this and will be doing more frequent checks and working to make this new system as customer friendly as possible.
Pool Area
F: I love everything here – the people are A++ especially the instructors for Water Sculpting. But while EVERY area of the facility is very clean, the tiles at the water’s edge and in the hot tub are not.
R: We’re glad you’re enjoying the facility! We will be sure to address the cleaning issue, thank you for bringing it to our attention.
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F: Please put markers on bottom of “lap” section of pool. Very hard to judge where the end of the pool is when swimming especially if the pool is a bit turbid. Thanks.
R: Thank you for your suggestion, we will look into it.
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F: Can you please set specific times when you will be closing one lane to kids’ swim lessons? Even better, why can’t the lessons take place in the Wallace Pool (or the Wallace Pool have more opening times?). Also, if the lifeguards see people not swimming laps in the lap lanes, it would be nice if they can ask them to splash around in the open-pool area.
R: Swimming is an important life skill, so to make it the lessons as accessible as possible, they are scheduled just like personal training sessions, at the convenience of the swim student. We do make an effort not to close the lanes because of swim lessons, but occasionally we may do so. Wallace Pool is an athletic facility, and Campus Recreation’s use of it is limited to the existing recreational swim time frame. We already schedule Masters’ Swim during that time, and to close further lanes for lessons would put the recreational swimmers at further disadvantage. Regarding people who are in the lap lanes but not swimming laps, we will make sure the lifeguards are more responsive to those situations.
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F: A couple pairs of flippers in the pool equipment bin, like the ones at Wallace, would be great.
R: The swim fins at Wallace Pool are owned by the swim team, not by Campus Recreation, but we will look into the possibility of providing them here.
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F: I really like the Whirlpool. I really enjoy going here because of it and the running track.
R: That’s great, we’re pleased to hear it!
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F: Stronger Whirlpool would be better exercise and more fun.
R: Unfortunately, the vortex strength is not adjustable. However, the closer you are to the wall, the stronger it is.
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F: There should be a handle to help in exiting the vortex (whirlpool), and padding on the end of the walls at the opening to the pool. Children have trouble getting out against the current. Also, the two small nozzles in the vortex protrude and it’s easy to jam into them while going around.
R: Thank you for your feedback, we will look into these issues.
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F: Can you fix the seal around the sauna door, so it doesn’t allow all the heat to escape?
R: Thank you for your feedback, we will look into it.
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F: The Sauna and hot tub are not hot enough.
R: We will test to ensure that they are operating within the required temperature parameters, but due to health and safety regulations those parameters may be lower than some of our members would prefer.
Track & Courts
F: I find that your indoor track is very convenient and I like using it as often as I can. I was wondering if it would be possible to install a clock on the wall between the restroom doors. I don’t always have a watch on and there doesn’t seem to be a clock that is visible from most of the track.
R: We are looking into adding a clock for the track users.
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F: My coworkers and I enjoy walking at lunch time and used to be able to use the old gym for free. We would love to have the option of walking inside someplace on campus for FREE or a nominal fee. Are we still allowed to walk on the old track?
R: Because of the open concept layout at the rec center, there isn’t any way for us to control access to individual parts of the facility. Therefore, we can’t sell a pass just to walk on the track here. For information about use of the fieldhouse track, please contact the Athletic Department.
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F: Please get rid of the Subway banner now. No Excuses.
R: The Subway banner is in the Rec Center because Subway has provided financial, “in kind”, and marketing support to our “Big Bears to Little Bears” Challenge program. Part of our agreement with Subway is to hang the banner for a period of time. Corporate support of Rec Center programs is commonplace across the country and helps keep membership and program costs down for Rec Center members.
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F: Please permanently lower the volume on the electronic basketball scoreboard by a substantial amount!
R: We will look at the horn sound levels on the scoreboards and work to limit the horn use to only what is necessary to run the specific event to which it is needed. The boards and horn are not used during open rec time. They are used by our Intramural Sports program. The horns sound automatically at the end of a period of play. The IM Sports program provides a competitive sports environment for over 14,000 participants a year, and is a vital and traditional part of all University recreation programs across the country. IM sports are played seasonally in the Rec Center on Sunday – Thursday nights from 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm. At certain points in the year, the IM games actually draw spectators and do create some extra noise. This is a part of the campus community and is a positive sign of a vibrant and engaged campus. Campus Recreation works to meet the needs of all of our members, whether they use a only certain part of the facility or participate in all facets of the facility. We do ask that all members help create a positive environment for all and respect all users of the facility. If a specific issue occurs in which others are making your experience unsafe or unpleasant please bring it to the Building Manager’s attention at the time so they may deal with the particular situation first-hand. The Building Managers wear green staff shirts and can often be found at the front desk.
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F: Please do not have the youth basketball games in the rec center anymore. It is impossible to get into the locker rooms with the spectators standing around. And the sound of the buzzer and referees whistle is deafening.
R: Thank you for your comment. The youth basketball tournaments are an outside facility rental that provides area residents the opportunity to experience the University in a positive light and create a chance for the youth to play their games in a state-of-the-art facility. The rentals also create revenue for Campus Recreation. The Recreation Center operates as an Auxiliary function of the University, which means Campus Recreation pays for all the expenses of the facility, from heat and lights to payroll, and is not dependent on University and State funds to operate. While the vast majority of our funding comes from the student fee, our secondary sources such as memberships, programs, and services such as facility rentals are all part of the financial picture and are necessary to maintain the hours of operation, quality of equipment, and the cleanliness of the facility. While we recognize that facility rentals do cause disruption to the “normal” day-to-day experience of the Recreation Center for its members, we make a tremendous effort to minimize the disturbance. This year’s youth tournaments were our first and we learned a lot about the dos and don’ts of this type of rental. IF we decide to do these again we will apply what we learned form these first tourneys in an effort to be less disruptive to our members experience. Additionally, the score board buzzers have been lowered in volume and the blast has been shortened.
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F: You should allow more than one racquetball court reservation per family per day. Thank you.
R: Because we only have two racquetball courts, we need to set some usage limitations. Unfortunately, the only way the software allows us to restrict reservations is at the family/household level, rather at the individual family member level. We have already suggested to the software company that these improvements be made, and are awaiting a response.
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F: The MAC court needs to be washed badly. I play on it 3-4 times per week and it’s really slippery with that fine dust out there. People will stop slipping, rolling ankles, etc. I ref like 4 times a week and see people falling all over the place when they try to change direction.
R: Thank you for bringing this to our attention, we will take another look at our cleaning schedule.
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F: Over booking the MAC court is frustrating for people who want to use the facilities. If every Monday thru Thursday is booked why not leave Friday open. It is very discouraging never being able to have a soccer game.
R: Thank you for the feedback. Our Intramural Sports program does use the MAC for IM events Monday – Thursday. This program has over 14,000 student participants a year and is exclusively focused on our student members. That said we understand the need for more free playtime on the MAC and are working to limit the scheduling of that space to create as much free play as possible.
Weight & Cardio Areas
F: Get rid of the small hand wraps. they do not protect anything. there is no such thing as too big when it comes to hand wraps. Also please secure the tiles near the heavy bag to stop them from sliding. It causes twisted ankles and hyper extended elbows.
R: Thanks for the feedback and for using the wraps. Many users seem to not use them. This is both unsafe and has hygiene implications for others. We will look into the hand wrap question. We initially purchased the smaller wraps because people’s hands come in different sizes. The flooring is made of our spare floor tiles and was a solution to having the bare concrete under the bag. We will be replacing them in the future with a different product.
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F: We need a high visibility clock.
R: There are at least 15 clocks in the Rec Center’s public areas.
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F: Is it possible to install a clock and mirror in the new fitness area by the workout rooms upstairs?
R: Absolutely, and we plan to! We’re just waiting to make sure everything is in its final layout. Thanks for the feedback!
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F: The magazine rack is a shambles. You seem serious about tidiness and it shows in the equipment and floors, but the magazines are torn and falling apart. It just clashes with the otherwise great job you are doing with general cleanliness. I read one from 2006 this morning. Just recycle them. I like the idea that people can bring in magazines from home for the rack, just screen them and cull the old and slashed ones.
R: Thanks for the feedback, we’re working on it!
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F: One thing I would add to the abs area would be a decline bench, I used to use the one at latti all the time, but can not seem to find one at the new rec center, is there one in the building?
R: We do have a small decline bench in the lower weight room. We will look at buying another one for the functional area, in the future.
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F: Why do the lights in the cardio area not turn off now that we have bright sunny days? isn’t this supposed to be a green building which uses less energy?
R: The row of lights furthest from the windows in the cardio/weight areas remains on all the time, but the rest do shut off via sensor during the day. If this isn’t happening, it means the light sensors are malfunctioning, so please bring it to our attention.
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F: You should get rid of the large gray mats in the second floor stretching area and put back the single user mats, they’re much better for doing exercise on and don’t accumulate as much dirt. You should also replace the original mats, that fell apart after a few weeks, with the same kind of closed cell foam mats that are in the old fitness center, they’re much better.
R: We have reduced the number of the large gray mats in the stretching area by half, and placed some of the small portable mats there.
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F: Also please put the old Latti sign up asking/reminding the Imbeciles not to spit in the water fountain =)
R: We need to find a balance between putting up too many signs, and not putting up enough.
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F: You should put all the weight equipment on one floor!
R: The plate-loaded weight equipment is located on the first floor because it is so heavy and because this is the area where weights are most often dropped onto the floor. Also, to accommodate the comfort levels of all users, equipment most commonly used by advanced users have been separated from that most commonly used by beginner users.
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F: Please stop paying people to walk around and look at me. Thanks.
R: Campus Recreation’s “Fitness Assistants” are employed for two reasons. First, they are responsible for cleaning all fitness equipment and fitness areas throughout the day. Second, they are available to help people learn how to use the various types of fitness equipment.
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F: Please add a Kettle Bell, and a Speed Bag.
R: Thank you for the suggestions, we will look into them for next year. Right now we have reached our limit for spending on equipment.
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F: Please add a straight pull up bar.
R: Each squat rack and cable crossover machine has pull-up bars attached, for a total of 6 pull-up bars. On each of these, there is a substantial section in the middle that is straight. If you place your hands a little bit closer together, you will achieve the same effects as if you have an all-straight bar.
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F: The Elastic bands upstairs are great exercise but there is nothing to hook them to when I want to use them. Just some kind of rigid support with places to put the bands would be great, Thanks
R: Thank you for the suggestion, we will look into it. Meanwhile, you’re welcome to stand on the the 2nd floor “bridge” walkway and put the band around the metal support that suspends it from the ceiling.
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F: Put the red boxes back out. They are perfect for jumping drills.
R: The red plyrometric boxes are in the upstairs functional training area.
Multipurpose Rooms
F: Please let me use the LeMond spin bikes when there’s no class.
R: Our current policy on not allowing use of the LeMond cycles outside of class time is based on two safety-related issues. First and foremost, our multipurpose rooms are difficult for our building managers to monitor easily, and we wouldn’t want someone using the cycles to undergo a heart attack (for example) and not be discovered quickly. To a lesser degree, we are also concerned that unsupervised use of the flywheel may result in user injury.
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F: Please let us have access to the multi-purpose rooms when there is no class in session.
R: The downstairs multipurpose room is unlocked between classes.
Other Facility/Amenity Feedback
F: Could you please have your staff wash and wipe out the wooden storage cubicles on a regular basis? With all the slush and sand many of these cubes have dried up slush and dirt in them which then makes them unusable for storing one’s things unless one is willing to get them all dirty.
R: The cubbies are on our staff’s regular cleaning list; we will assess whether a more frequent cleaning schedule is needed.
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F: Oldies on the Sirius Radio? Serious? Not good gym music in my opinion.
R: The decision of what is played during certain hours was made based on a member survey we conducted when we first opened. If you heard “Oldies” outside the hours of 5-8 a.m., it was probably because one of the channels available for all-day play is a “supermix” that can include ANY style of music.
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F: How about putting in a campus telephone?
R: There is a campus telephone on the second floor between the cardio and weight equipment sections.
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F: I ride my bike to my campus job everyday from Old Town using the bike path. It’s so bumpy and torn up that I’ve noticed that repeatedly riding on it has caused damage to my bike, and makes for a slower, less than ideal bike commute. I love the beauty that the forest trail provides, but feel the bike path is in desperate need of being repaved. It is my belief that people committed to not driving to work should be encouraged and rewarded, not neglected—and knowing that the University of Maine is committed to a green campus, it seems they might encourage people to ride bikes to work and school, if the trail was smooth, and therefore easier and more pleasant to ride on. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I’d appreciate a response back.
R: The bike path is a joint effort by UM, Orono, and Old Town. There are some grants and monies being pursued to upgrade the bike path.
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F: Do you rent parts of the Rec Center out to groups?
R: Absolutely! Joanne Arseneault is the contact person for facility rentals. You can reach her via email at the link above or call her at 581-1082.
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F: Sell milk, chocolate milk, protein shakes, and smoothies.
R: The products we can sell are limited to those available to us through University contractual agreements and our capacity to store inventory. Additionally, we want to sell products that have real value and are safe for the consumers. We have considered milk products in the past and have determined that the expiration and storage issues are prohibitive due to the need for additional cold storage. We are looking into products that need no refrigeration and have a longer shelf life.
Programs & Services
F: Does UMO offer public skating?
R: Yes, UMaine offers both outdoor and indoor public skating, but Campus Recreation only manages the outdoor. Click here for details.
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F: I have not yet been to the Fitness Center, and I have never been to ANY fitness center in my life! I was curious about receiving assistance in what I should do for a personal fitness program, and the proper use of the available machines. What do you offer? Thanks!
R: For general information about how to use the various machines, you can get a free equipment orientation from the on-duty Fitness Assistant. For personal recommendations, you could either purchase a Fitness Consultation, or a Fitness Assessment and Personal Training session(s). Please click here for detailed explanations and rates.
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F: Do I need to register for classes, or just show up?
R: Only the classes listed as “Instructional” or “Specialty” require registration. All group exercise classes are first-come / first-served, except Cycling classes. For those we have a Cycle Signup notebook at the front counter, which you can put your name in up to 24 hours before each class. Phone reservations are accepted.
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F: Please Start a Tai chi Class (preferably free) for members in the A.M. (early) every day. Wonderful for balance/Flexibility.
R: We have added a Tai Chi class under the Instructional Classes lineup. However, based on demand and instructor availability, we are not offering an early morning session. If an instructor becomes available at that time, and if there is enough demand for a morning Tai Chi class, we will add it.
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F: More cardio classes (such as cardio kickboxing and step basics) after 5:00 pm, please.
R: We are adding and removing classes from the schedule based on demand. If there is enough demand for more evening classes, we will add them.
Policies & Rates
F: Is the climbing tower and bouldering wall open to the public? If so, what are the hours and cost to non-students?
R: Yes, it is open to the public. Information can be found here under “Climbing Wall Only Pass“… or you may pay the $7 day pass fee.
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F: Thanks for the new policies sign but a couple things could have been added to it:
- discouraging profanity and inappropriate language/activity i.e., couples kissing
- discouraging guys wearing shorts that drag down halfway down their butt showing their underwear… one young white guy who is there all the time is doing this
- discouraging blue jeans…on your policy sign you say that cargo and other snap and button clothes are not allowed but yet some people come in with jeans on.
- UM should seriously consider banning skateboarding on the hill road in front of the rec center and even in the parking lot. it is ridiculous that we drivers have to dodge skateboards as we are driving to the gym not to mention very dangerous.
R: Thank you for your feedback. I will address each point in turn.
- We agree that verbal profanity is not appropriate; please feel free to report instances of this to the building manager (dark green polo shirt). We do not, however, have any control over public displays of affection as long as they are within reason.
- Campus Recreation strongly encourages our members to wear appropriate clothing. However, within reason, we must acknowledge and respect cultural differences.
- People are free to enter the facility in jeans, and even to walk on the track or use the racquetball courts. They are not, however, allowed to use the weight/cardio equipment because the rivets on their clothing would damage the padded seats/benches.
- The locations you have named are not specifically owned by Campus Recreation. If you feel strongly about the skateboarding issue, we encourage you to contact the appropriate UM department. Most likely, Public Safety would be a good place to start.
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F: I am a UMaine student but I never use the Rec Center, do I still have to pay for it?
R: All UMaine students enrolled for classes on the Orono campus are required to pay the Rec Center fee. Any questions can be directed to Jeff Hunt, Director of UMaine Campus Recreation. All waiver requests should be directed to Dr. Kenda Scheele, Senior Associate Dean of Students.
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F: Is it rec. center policy to find all the Early Bird pass users at 10:00 and kick them out?
R: Early Bird pass holders may enter Monday – Friday before 10:30 a.m. but we don’t track when they leave.
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F: It would be really great if there was a pass *just* for adults to use the leisure pool. Even a lower rate “daily pass” would be nice.
R: The Rec Center’s open layout, while it does allow plenty of sunshine and outdoor views, prevents us from offering a pool-only pass for adults. There just isn’t any way for us to control access to the rest of the facility. We do offer the $3 kids’ swim pass to children who are too young to use the other areas of the facility anyway.
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F: Where do my membership dollars go?
R: The following is a breakdown of our main expenses:
Family and Youth
F: Have you considered programs for children younger than 1st grade?
R: The “Grades 1-8″ specification for RAD Camps was put in place because we believe the staffing and program are best for children who are accustomed to being away from their parents for a full day. RAD Care is open to children in Grades K-8, and our swim lessons are open to anyone over the age of 4. We are also open to considering the possibility of future programming designed specifically for this younger age group.
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F: [Please] DEMAND that children NOT be allowed to run in inappropriate areas. Tell your staff to approach parents and instruct them not to run. We members don’t appreciate having to dodge mis-managed wild kids.
R: Our staff has been instructed to more closely watch for and correct this behavior, so hopefully you have seen an improvement.
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F: Where can I find information on Summer Camps?
R: Right here!
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F: We had a great time in January 19th with a group of students we will return Feb. 20th during school vacation.
R: That’s great, we’ll see you then!
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R: We do not hold a daycare facility license, but we do offer RadCare on weekday evenings.
Staff
F: I love the Rec. Center! The staff is helpful and friendly. Keep up the good work.
R: We’re glad to hear it, thank you!
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F: Every time I walk into the Rec. center I smile and say hi to whoever is working at the desk. Unfortunately they are not always quick to smile back, or even say hi. What happened to having the best customer service on campus?
R: Thank you for your feedback, this is a training issue and we will deal with it.
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R: Thank you!
