Describes the benefits of using rubber floor coverings in a gym's free-weight and cardiovascular equipment areas. Tips on purchasing a rubber floor are highlighted as is an annotated list of suppliers and their rubber flooring products. (GR)

Discusses how, despite tight budgets and changing clientele, campus recreation professionals are using the entrepreneurial spirit to do more with less in developing feasible facilities and programming. (GR)

Examines how tight urban sites can yield sports spaces that favorably compare to their more rural campus counterparts. Potential areas of concern when recreation centers are reconfigured into high-rise structures are highlighted, including building codes, building access, noise control, building costs, and lighting. (GR)

Discusses planning points when negotiating joint ventures for designing public recreational facilities. The obstacle and impact of money in the negotiations is examined as are handling the definition of operational responsibilities, personnel and maintenance, program and service delivery, and progress of the partnership and facility itself. (GR)

Discusses the importance of avoiding costly repairs in fitness centers by keeping up on preventive maintenance and part replacement. One university's answer to weight training equipment rehabilitation is highlighted as is a solution for racquetball wall repair. Several "tricks-of-the-trade" notes are included. (GR)

Discusses the use of student and faculty fees for paying for the construction and renovation of college recreation facilities. Community participation in the recreation facilities as an additional revenue resource is addressed. (GR)

Describes ten steps involved in successful renovation of a college recreation center. They are as follows: hire the right architect, be realistic about costs, devise a plan, do a mental walk through, approach the renovation in phases, communicate to users, expect lost revenue and displacement issues, continue to communicate with architects and…

Discusses the development of a planning symposium as a means of getting community involvement for building a community recreation center. The steps in creating and managing a planning symposium are examined, including tips on agenda development. (GR)

Discusses the basics of designing natural and artificial light in an indoor athletic facility. Also examines individual lighting requirements of typical rooms such as weight and fitness rooms, aerobics and multipurpose rooms, gymnasiums, field houses, pools, and racquetball and squash courts. (GR)

Discusses the importance of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board guidelines for recreational and sports areas and their ancillary spaces. Examples of how the guidelines affect specific areas are highlighted, such as team seating areas, fitness centers, tennis courts, swimming pools, and locker rooms. (GR)

Discusses the ease with which recreational facilities can accommodate wheelchair softball and other adapted sports, including activities for aquatic facilities. The legal requirement for sporting facilities to be adaptable to persons with physical disabilities is also stressed. (GR)

Discusses the persuasive process toward convincing a college or university to build a new recreation center on its campus. The factors influencing a school's decision for a recreation center are discussed as are the importance of timing and student retention in the decision making process. (GR)

Discusses how, with today's recreational sports landscape broader than ever, sportsplex operators must and can accommodate diverse activities within limited spaces. (EV)

Explores why and how integrating the activities of recreation centers and student centers into one common facility is emerging as a new development in college campus design. (EV)

Examines the difficulties and solutions to wet environment repairs in pools and locker rooms. Issues include crack and leak repairs, repairs to grout and tile, on-deck accessories, and underwater lights. Several "tricks-of-the-trade" notes are included as is a brief discussion on emergency shutdowns. (GR)