Navigating Guest Access at the UCF Recreation and Wellness Center

The University of Central Florida's (UCF) Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC) provides a variety of options for students, faculty, staff, and guests to access its facilities and programs. This article provides detailed information about guest passes, memberships, facility usage, and important policies.

Access and Memberships

The Recreation and Wellness Center offers various memberships with different prices and accessibility. In addition to memberships, daily passes are available for $5. Memberships and guest passes can be purchased at the Administrative Office, located on the second floor of the RWC, during business hours. Employees of UCF can also purchase memberships. New RWC members can claim their first month free in the Admin Office.

Students who have paid their Activity and Service Fee enjoy unlimited access to all RWC facilities at no additional cost.

Guest Pass Information

While the provided information doesn't explicitly detail all guest pass options, it does mention the availability of daily passes for $5. Students who have a guest pass balance on their account can make payments online at ucfrwc.org using their NID and password.

Read also: Unlocking Alumni Opportunities

Facility Usage and Policies

General Conduct

The RWC is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all users. Participation in Recreation and Wellness Center programs is voluntary, and individuals participate at their own risk, assuming responsibility for their own health and safety. UCF and the Recreation and Wellness Center are not liable for injuries sustained during participation in sponsored activities. It is strongly recommended that all participants consult a physician and/or have a physical exam prior to participation. UCF does not provide personal accident/health insurance, and participants are urged to secure their own insurance.

Pets are not permitted on RWC facilities, with the exception of service animals that comply with University policy. The use of personal speakers, including cell phones, where sound can be heard by others for personal music is strictly prohibited. Individuals or groups conducting self-guided tours must leave a valid photo ID at the Member Services Desk.

Dress Code

Appropriate athletic attire is required to promote a clean and safe environment. Athletic shoes or sneakers are required at all times. Shirts or tank tops must be worn at all times, covering the lower back, front, and sides of the torso. The RWC reserves the right to restrict the use of any apparel deemed unsafe or inappropriate. Specific clothing restrictions may apply in certain areas, such as the fitness floor.

Facility-Specific Rules

Basketball Courts: Walkers must use the outside lane. Hanging on the rim is not permitted.
Racquetball/Handball Courts: Primary use of the courts is for racquetball and handball. See the schedule for court availability, as reservations take priority.
Weight Floor: Bags are not permitted on the weight floor.
Functional Training Rig: The functional training rig and attachments may be used for its intended purpose only.
Group Exercise Studio: The group exercise studio is available for individual use when a scheduled class is not in session. Users may use authorized equipment located in the room for stretching and body-weight exercises. Facility equipment and weights may not be brought into the space.
Functional Turf Area: Follow designated use of the Functional Turf area, which is meant for functional and dynamic movements.
Platforms: Be considerate of others waiting to use the platform. Deadlifting is the primary authorized lift on platforms. Chalk use is permitted under strict conditions.
Climbing Tower: Personal Harnesses manufactured by approved companies, climbing shoes, and chalk bags are permitted. Proper athletic Attire is required while climbing and belaying. It is recommended all jewelry be removed while climbing and belaying at the tower. A Figure Eight Follow Thru knot is the required knot for tying into a climbing rope. Bouldering is permitted up to the 10ft line. Eating and drinking are prohibited in the Tower area. Participants must abide by the decisions of the outdoor adventure staff.

Equipment and Storage

Return equipment and weights to their designated locations. Personal belongings are not allowed on the fitness floor. Do not drop free weights or dumbbells. The Recreation and Wellness Center keeps all items for one month.

Daily lockers are free for members and guests, while semester lockers are available to members for $12. All items in lockers that are not claimed are placed in an individual bag and stored for 2 months. Students and members can reclaim their personal belongings by coming into the administrative office during business hours.

Intramural Sports

There is no cost to play most intramural sports, as they are funded by the Activity and Service Fee through SGA. The only event with a fee is golf tournaments due to the high cost of golf compared to other activities.

There are several ways to join a team. Student organizations, Greek letter organizations, or leadership groups often form teams. Individuals without a team can sign up as a free agent and attend free agent meetings to form teams. The RWC and RWC Park have open rec teams that teams can take advantage of to practice. Intramural Sports policies are governed by the annual team Captains Guide.

Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC)

Only current UCF students are eligible to rent vessels and equipment from the OAC. UCF students are allowed to bring a non-UCF guest if over the age of 18. No equipment reservations are accepted. PFD's (Personal Floatation Devices) must be worn at all times while on one of the OA vessels. Service animals may go on rented vessels but must wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Only vessels authorized by the RWC staff are permitted for use on Lake Claire.

Renters must have adequate means of transporting large equipment (i.e. boats and boards). Equipment must be properly cleaned, dried, and packed prior to its return. Equipment must be returned to the OAC in the condition it left in, or cleaning and damage fees will be assessed. Renters should check the equipment prior to leaving the OAC to identify any pre-existing damage or missing parts. Once in possession, proper use and care of the equipment is the renter's responsibility. All equipment is inspected and the condition of the equipment is documented before and after it is rented. The renter is responsible for any late, lost, dirty, and/or damaged equipment and the resulting fees. Equipment left outside the OAC will be subject to a $50 abandonment fee.

Trip Policies (Outdoor Adventure)

All trip participants are required to attend a pre-trip meeting. If a legitimate excuse arises (e.g., class), participants must schedule an appointment to meet with the Trip Lead or Outdoor Adventure Coordinator prior to the pre-trip meeting. Some trips, usually three nights or longer, may require participants to purchase certain items such as clothing and/or gear. The RWC will provide some essential items, which will be discussed at the pre-trip meeting.

A trip deposit or the total cost is required to hold a spot on the trip roster. Full payment is required by the trip sign-up deadline. Participants must inform the Trip Lead or Outdoor Adventure Coordinator of any pertinent medical information by completing a medical form. Participants with specific medical conditions requiring prescription medication are responsible for having ample supplies on the trip. The consumption of alcohol and tobacco products is not permitted on any trip.

In an effort to offer opportunities to new participants to attend extended trips (defined as 4 nights or longer), participants will enter each school year as a new participant. After attending an extended trip, they will be considered a returning participant. Participants are expected to stay for the whole extension of the program and are not allowed to come after the program has already started. UCF Student groups who cancel within one week of the program date will be charged a processing fee of $50.00. The group contact is responsible for ensuring that the group is properly informed and ready for the day's events. Non-UCF student participants under the age of 18 must have a Medical Information Form and Release Liability Form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

If a Challenge Course program must be canceled due to severe weather conditions, every effort will be made to reschedule the event.

Athletic Training Room

When entering the athletic training room, sign in with your name, UCFID, and reason for the visit. Athletic trainers reserve the right to refuse treatment. Students must be showered and dried off prior to receiving specific treatments and must remove footwear while receiving treatment on the treatment tables. Cleats, dirty equipment, profanity, abusive behavior, food, or drinks are not allowed. No student is permitted to operate any athletic training room equipment, and self-treatment is not allowed. Do not remove items from the athletic training room without permission from the athletic training staff.

Banner Policy

Banner spaces may be utilized by UCF Registered Student Organizations and UCF Departments to advertise their events/organizations. Banner spaces may be reserved up to five (5) times per semester, for seven (7) consecutive days per reservation, with at least a one (1) week span between reservations for the same banner. Non-UCF Organizations may also utilize banner spaces for a fee: $125/per week; $400/per month; $1200/ per semester, based on availability.

The preferred banner size is 6'x4', with 3'x5' being the smallest size. Banners that are 10'x5' will be accepted based on space availability. Banners must be event-specific, stating the event name, date, time, and location. The exact verbiage must be entered on the request form for a preliminary review of the content. Banners will be reviewed to ensure appropriate content and messages are conveyed. The RWC reserves the right to deny any request submitted.

Banners must be professionally made out of vinyl and have metal grommets. Banners will be hung and taken down by RWC staff at non-peak hours. Early delivery of banners will only be accepted three (3) business days prior to the reservation. Banners must be retrieved no later than five (5) business days following the removal date.

Pool Policies

The bathing load is 123 persons. The Absence & Rain Policy was put in place to discourage swim lesson participants from failing to attend our free classes. Only one unexcused absence will be permitted per session. Each unexcused absence will subsequently result in a $5.00 fee per absence to the participant. This policy applies for up to 3 absences. If the participant decides that they will no longer be able to participate in the program, they MUST notify the Administrative Office at the Recreation and Wellness Center ASAP in order to withdraw.

RWC Downtown

Photo ID is required for entry. UCF and Valencia College students must be at least 17 years of age. No food is permitted in the facility.

Additional Amenities and Programs

UFC FIT at the RWC

UFC FIT, located within the RWC, offers a variety of amenities such as Recovery, Youth Gym, Turf, and Personal Training. It provides an MMA-inspired fitness experience with access to fitness classes, specialty equipment, weight and cardio rooms, and more. Personal Training & Coaching Programs are available to help individuals maximize their potential.

Artificial Turf Field

The green grass blades of the artificial turf field are made of a polyethylene fiber "infilled" with a 70% rubber and 30% sand mixture. The entire turf system is manufactured by Sportexe.

Equipment Rentals

Equipment rentals are available.

Climbing Center

Yes, once you become belay certified by UCF. Without this certification, our policy is to have the staff belay students. Not at all. Our student employees are passionate about climbing and are there to help individuals just starting out. Bouldering is a type of climbing that does not require harnessing up or tying in to a top-rope. The climbing industry standard for bouldering height is twelve feet high. Bouldering can be dangerous, especially if it is not practiced safely. Personal hardware such as belay devices are not permitted because of the risk involved. The belay devices used at our tower are inspected on a consistent basis and logged for records.

Security Measures

The biometric readers were put in place for added security as well as ease for guests to enter the RWC.

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