by Christi Mathis
CARBONDALE, Ill. — This is your chance to explore for free the myriad equipment, facilities and services the Student Recreation Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has to offer. Everyone is welcome at Community Day 2025, set for 1-5 p.m. Jan. 12.
Although everyone is welcome to attend at no cost, children age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In addition, organizers request that participants bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Saluki Food Pantry, which assists SIU students.
Numerous amenities offered
Community Day visitors can take tours of the facility and participate in a variety of activities and classes, individually or through group instruction. They can enjoy swimming between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Shea Natatorium, which features an Olympic-size pool, or participate in a free Zumba class from 2 to 3 p.m. And who can resist testing their prowess on the center’s multiple climbing walls, including a kilter board. Climbing is open 2-5 p.m.
Options also include:
- Several basketball/volleyball courts.
- Two indoor walking/jogging tracks.
- Three weight rooms.
- Indoor pickleball courts.
- Numerous fitness and cardio equipment areas.
Anyone can join
SIU students receive recreation center memberships via their student fees, but SIU faculty, staff and community members may join the center and take full advantage of all of the facilities and programming all year long.
In addition to having use of the equipment and facilities, members can also participate in a wide variety of classes. Some, including group fitness classes, are free for members. Others carry a nominal fee. Students and center members also can participate in an assortment of intramural sports through the Competitive Sports Office as well.
The Access Inclusive Recreation Program ensures that students and Recreational Sports and Services members can use the facility, programs and services regardless of any physical, emotional or psychological condition or disability.
And the center offers youth classes, too.
Get a discount membership now
In conjunction with Community Day, the first 25 people who are not current RSS members can purchase an annual membership at a 25% discount. The promotion is available on that day only and is reserved for people who are not current members or those whose membership expired before June 2024.
The annual membership fee must be paid in full that day in order to get the discount; purchases made by installment payments or payroll deductions aren’t eligible.
Learn more
For additional information about Community Day 2025 or the SIU Student Recreation Center, visit the website, call 618-453-1277 or email reccntr@siu.edu.