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In a time where the words “recession,” “budget cut” and “lack of state funding” are commonplace around Louisiana universities, Nicholls State is about to get a much-needed shot of adrenaline into its spirits.
It’s a dose of life fully free of Louisiana politics and entirely funded by the school’s students.
The Harold J. Callais Memorial Recreation Center is getting close to completion on the Colonels’ campus.
The massive, state-of-the-art recreational center will serve as a fitness center for students trying to stay in shape and also a testament of the Nicholls’ spirit.
“I really think this will be the largest increase in the quality of student life at our school since Nicholls built its first dorms in 1964,” said Michael Matherne, Nicholls State director of campus recreation. “This is going to be the new student union of this campus. This is going to be the place where our kids hang out between classes and also after their academic day is done. … It’s really going to be great.”
Matherne said the recreation center is nearing its final stages of construction and is currently heading toward an early fall open date.
“We’re eying the beginning of the fall,” Matherne said. “As of right now, we think that’s going to be sometime in September. We hope to have everything going sometime shortly after classes begin.”
When that ribbon-cutting day comes, it will mark the end of a long chapter in the school’s history.
Matherne said students voted to fund the center in 2003. By doing so, they agreed to add a fee of $75 per semester to their fee bill to help foot the bill for the facility.
The director of Nicholls recreation said that those $75 tallies were the only source of funding the university had to complete the facility.
“Our students wanted this. Our students agreed to pay $75 in extra tuition to pay for this facility,” Matherne said. “In this day of budget cuts and everything like that, it’s important to know that the state of Louisiana did not pay a single dime for this facility. It’s all student-funded – from the machines to the bricks to the toilet paper we’re going to use inside. It’s all our own.
“It’s just a true testament to the fact that despite state obstacles, Nicholls will continue to take care of itself, work hard and excel. And we’re going to do that in spite of Baton Rouge.”
Matherne used the word “excel” to explain Nicholls’ intentions.
A quick peek into the recreation center’s blueprint shows that his wording is spot-on.
The Callais Memorial Recreation Center is going to feature both indoor and outdoor activities that will cater to every Nicholls student with a desire to exercise and stay fit.
“This is not just going to be a big, empty building full of workout machines,” Matherne said. “We are going to have unbelievable programming inside of the building. We are going to show people how to lead healthy lifestyles. This is not going to be the gym where they just turn the lights on and let people come. We’re going to actively engage in getting our students, faculty and staff involved. We’re willing to take people by the hand and lead them to a wellness lifestyle.”
Inside the complex’s main building, Matherne said there would be 42 different cardio machines ranging from treadmills to stationary bikes.
The facility will also feature 5,000 square feet of weight equipment for those interested in strength training.
The equipment is the best of its kind and will place Nicholls among the top of Louisiana in terms of recreation centers.
“Our equipment is second to none,” Matherne said. “For example, every piece of cardio equipment will have its own screen on it similar to an iPad, which will be touch responsive. Students will have the option to plug their iPhones into them and listen to music or watch movies. … Plus, every screen will be connected to cable television and also the Internet. These cardio machines will set the standard in the state. There’s not another recreation center in any college in Louisiana that will be as advanced as our facility will be.”
Aside from the machinery, Matherne said the facility will feature two full gymnasium courts that will be geared for either volleyball, badminton or basketball.
The Callais Memorial Recreation Center will also have two group exercise studios.
Those rooms will be used for Yoga, cardio boxing and various aerobics and group exercise classes that are planned once the facility opens.
The recreation director said the classes offered will be free of Nicholls curriculum and purely optional for students.
“This is strictly for leisure and recreation for students. This is not a place for academics. This is not a place for varsity athletics,” Matherne said.
Like all college recreational centers, the Callais Memorial Recreation Center will be available first and foremost to Nicholls’ students.
Matherne said that all university students would be able to use the center beginning the first day that it opens.
After students are taken care of and the facility is running smoothly, Matherne said faculty would also be able to freely use the recreation center.
After that, a third tier will be in place and Nicholls alumni will be able to reap the benefits.
“The students are obviously excited,” Matherne said. “But I have alumni who come up to me and ask me how construction is going, so they are excited to come back and see it, too. It’s really something that is rallying everyone in our university family. This is something that’s going to make Nicholls proud.
“It’s a long time coming. We can’t wait to get this open and running.”
Progress is being made on Nicholls’ new recreation center. Officials believe the first-class facility will be open for most of the 2012 fall semester.
