Silent Renovations: Updates Most Don’t See

From checking renovation updates in emails to refreshing websites, students waited last fall for the completion of the Climbing Tower, locker rooms and dry sauna. Those were the most visible changes, but most renovations at the Student Rec Center are less obvious. Some are overlooked, others happen quietly in the background, and before long, students have already transitioned into the updated facility.

“Once upon a time, your student ID was the only way you could get in this facility,” said Operations & Events Associate Director Oscee Wheatfall III. “But one of the things we heard from the students is:  A, I don’t always have my ID. B, I lose my ID. So we took it upon ourselves to embrace the technology when we created the Rec Sports app, which allowed us to create a digital ID that patrons could use to gain access to our facilities or checkout equipment.” 

Over a decade ago, the Student Rec Center underwent renovations to expand the weight room, add an additional office suite, and build an outdoor multi-use terrace space on the second floor.. While these upgrades were visible, much of the transformation within the Strength & Conditioning area had begun earlier, under Jerod Wilson, current associate director of Capital Projects at Rec Sports and former Director of Strength & Conditioning.

“The Strength & Conditioning program has gone through many changes since 2001, when Jerod Wilson first arrived to establish the area,” Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning DJ Scott said.

As the facility grew, the focus shifted toward expanding capacity and improving the user experience.

“One of the main things we wanted to do was increase weight room space so that students can have less wait times, as well as have a multitude of options to work out in the facility,” Wheatfall said. “But there are other unique pieces or machines that individuals have experienced or that become popular, and we wanted to leave space for that. Having the ability to expand the space and accommodate for those things have worked wonders for us.” 

After the expansion of the Rec, Polo Road Rec Center opened in fall 2021, followed by Southside Rec Center a year later in the fall of 2022.

“Enrollment has grown rapidly over the last 10 to 20 years, and the awareness of fitness has also continued to grow,” Director of Strength & Conditioning Ryan Keller said. “With the additional spaces, students now have options for which facility to make their “home gym” and do not have to travel across the campus to get there.”

Beyond the weight room, a quieter renovation can be found on the second-floor terrace, a feature not commonly seen in university recreation centers.

“When the idea of the terrace was first brought up during Rec Center expansion talks, I was not in favor of building it,” Wheatfall said. “I thought there would be no way students would want to hangout and tan outside the Rec Sports office suite.” 

The terrace soon exceeded Wheatfall’s initial expectations, as students used it as a place to relax, study and capture memories. 

“We were very fortunate that Kyle Field decided to renovate and provided some  awesome views and vantage points for photos,” Wheatfall said. “Everyone uses our terrace to take a photo with the backdrop of Kyle Field and the skyline of Texas A&M. We have become part of the tradition of landmarks where you take either your graduation or ring day photos.