COLUMBIA, MO -- The success of the undefeated Missouri Tigers, ranked No. 5 in the latest college football polls, has resulted in a change for the University of Missouri Student Recreation Complex and its patrons. The complex is now closing during home football games, beginning at kickoff, and will remain closed the entire day, according to the Columbia Missourian.
Laura Salerno, assistant director of membership and events for the complex, tells the Missourian that the policy was implemented after two years’ worth of data showed that the complex was not often used during home football games.
“The benefits associated with maintaining the facility did not justify the expense,” Salerno tells the newspaper.
Some students at the University of Missouri are not happy with the policy. Graduate student Arica Henderson tells the Missourian that she would prefer the complex to be open on game days.
“As much money as I have paid for the student rec center, I would like it to cater to the needs of as many people as possible, not just football game-goers, even if they are the majority,” Henderson says.
Senior Justin Pannullo tells the newspaper that the new policy hurts non-students the most and adds that it could prevent some patrons from being able to use the complex when it is most convenient for them.
“Some people don’t have the weekdays to work out, and they need the weekends,” Pannullo says.
The closure of the complex on game days also cancels some Tiger X cycling and yoga classes that are not included in the mandatory student recreation fee. Students enrolled in more than six credit hours pay $133.11 per semester in recreation fees, according to the Missourian, compared to $129.74 per semester last spring.
The complex will close at 1 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Saturday when the Tigers’ play host to the University at Buffalo. Last Saturday, Missouri’s home game against the University of Nevada kicked off shortly after 11:30 a.m.
After this weekend, the Tigers have three home games remaining this season, all on Saturdays, with kickoff times to be determined.