Union adds student rec center for gamers, commuters

So you’re back to school, summer seems like it was months ago and you’re already beginning… So you’re back to school, summer seems like it was months ago and you’re already beginning to feel the stress from papers, professors and exams. Well, lucky for you, come mid-September a new student recreational center will open on the lower level of the William Pitt Union, giving students a place to hang out with friends and have some fun, all without taking a step off Pitt’s campus.

The newly renovated area near the Schenley Cafe will feature four distinct areas: a commuter lounge, a gaming center, a snack shop and a non-alcoholic bar make up a portion of the recreational center. Spread throughout the area will be chairs and pool tables. There’s also an open area with a stage designed for events like open-mic nights, poetry readings and other performances.

This project, headed by Student Affairs and Student Life, was done partly in an effort to create a more student-friendly Union, according to Kenyon Bonner, director of Student Life.

If you remember, the old rec center didn’t offer students nearly as much excitement, variety and entertainment as the new one will. The area hadn’t been renovated in more than 20 years, and students really weren’t using it that much. According to Bonner, Student Life wanted to give students a place to hang out and attend events in a less formal atmosphere than the Ballroom or the Kurtzman Room in the Union.

Really, the rec center has something to meet the interests and needs of practically every Pitt student.

For instance, like Pitt students living on campus, commuters, too, will now find their home away from home with the commuter lounge. In the lounge, they can sneak a peek of a favorite show on the flat-panel television, catch a quick catnap in the soft seating areas or cozy up near the fireplace while they eat their lunches. Basically, the lounge is designed to be a place for commuters to rest and relax between classes.

Student gamers of all ages will find the gaming center well equipped with PlayStations, Nintendo Wiis, XBoxes and high-end computers. Though admission to the rec center will be free, students must pay a small, reasonable fee for use of the video games.

After you’ve had your fun in the gaming center, stop in the snack shop where you’ll be able to buy items like chips, cookies, pretzels and drinks to keep your adrenaline rush going. The shop is managed through Student Life in partnership with Sodexho.

No cash on hand? No problem. You can use Panther Funds at the snack shop.

Fans of the arts will be in for a treat, as Wednesdays in the rec center will soon become Artful Wednesdays. Once a week during the fall semester, the lower level of the union will set the stage for a number of performers, including dancers, singers, spoken word artists, musicians and actors.

While the commuter lounge is predicted to open 8 a.m. most days and the rest of the rec center will open around noon. Night owls can also get their share of entertainment with some late-night programming. On Friday and Saturday nights, look for programs such as open-mic nights, comedic performances and bingo. These are partially sponsored Pitt Program Council and a number of student organizations that have received non-alcoholic mini grants.

Generally you won’t need to scan your Pitt ID to get into the rec center, but you may need to for some of the late night events and special programs, so it’s a good idea to have that handy.

For now, the rec center doesn’t have an official name, but students will be able to offer their ideas for a name, an effort to get the student body involved with this new project.

Keep your eyes open for a grand opening celebration mid-September with an official ribbon cutting ceremony, games and entertainment.