Fitness buffs. A marching band. Intramural teams. Conference-goers. And cyber explorers. Together, they will breathe life into UC Davis' new Activities and Recreation Center, opening April 19.

Called "the first of a generation of fusion buildings" by the project manager for its design firm, the $46.5 million facility combines recreational and fitness areas with conference facilities and other informal gathering places.

"It's a new type of building on the horizon," says Marion LaRue of Cannon Design's Los Angeles office.

Even now, meeting organizers may reserve space. Doors will swing open for public tours from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Picnic Day, April 17. And the facility opens for use at 6 a.m. on April 19.

Sophomore Rebecca Miller, who is one of a handful of students being trained to help supervise the building's daily operations, says her fellow students are eagerly anticipating the opening. "We're going to have so many new things," she says. "Students are excited about the concept and how soon it's opening."

"We've built a phenomenal facility," says Jim Rodems, who, as director of Recreation Hall, has been involved in the ARC project since its inception.

With students funding the ARC through a self-assessed fee, their representatives led the planning process. Cannon designed the project, and McCarthy Building Companies put up the ARC.

The 155,850 square foot building -- slightly larger than Recreation Hall, to which its connected -- offers state-of-the-art fitness and recreation facilities with expanded programming and technologically advanced conference facilities including a ballroom and meeting rooms. Other amenities include a juice bar, a pro shop, a computer lounge with PCs and wireless services throughout most of the building.

Busy conducting tours for campus groups even as he helps ready the building and trains its staff, Rodems takes pride in the natural light and openness that characterize the building. Take a horizontal measure of the exterior, and windows account for about half of the distance, he says. A large exterior patio and an interior courtyard add to the activity space. "We think the campus is really going to enjoy it."

Fitted for fitness

Over two floors, the fitness facility itself features a four-court gymnasium, a facility for indoor hockey and soccer, a fitness and cardio area, group exercise studios, a running track and a climbing wall.

• The gym accommodates four basketball courts, 12 badminton courts or four volleyball courts.
• The multi-activity court has team boxes and rounded corners for indoor hockey and soccer. It also converts for play on one basketball court, six badminton courts or two volleyball courts.
• At 6.5 laps to the mile, the four-lane running track overlooks the gym and passes by the climbing wall.
• The 12,500-square-foot fitness and cardio area features nine 32-inch television monitors and cardio equipment with built-in FM receivers. The area also offers free weights, plate-loaded equipment and circuit training. Other cardio equipment will be distributed throughout the corridors.
• Among the group exercise rooms are three studios -- all with spring wooden floors -- for dance, martial arts and aerobics. A room for spinning classes will be equipped with 22 stationary bicycles.
• Squash players can easily convert four of the eight racquetball courts to their own game by pushing forward one wall. The courts also adapt for wallyball.
• Zone-controlled heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems will exchange the air in the locker rooms 30 times an hour and in the fitness and cardio area, 10 to 12 times an hour.

Built to serve a student population of 35,000, the fitness side of the ARC is expected to generate significantly more than the 800,000 annual student visits to Recreation Hall.

Conference facilities

At the heart of the conference facilities on the ground level is a 5,000 square-foot ballroom capable of seating about 300 people for a dinner. It has inset projectors and three drop screens, wireless technology, and an optional dance floor. Several meeting rooms feature windows, and the interior courtyard can host receptions and intimate concerts.

Students will have priority in booking the conference facilities, followed by campus users; the facilities may also be rented by outside groups.

Loudest among the student groups using the ARC will be the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! From cramped facilities in the old Fire House, the band will move into 3,670 square feet housing its office, library, workroom and individual practice spaces. It will rehearse one night a week in the ballroom.

Built at a cost of $27 million and totaling $46.5 million with equipment and furnishings, the center's construction and maintenance are supported by the Facilities and Campus Enhancements Fee students passed in 1999. Fees will be prorated for the spring quarter, but beginning in 2004-05, students will pay $68 a quarter toward the facility.

Employee user fees and other income from facility rentals and food and pro shop commissions are expected to generate $500,000 annually.

Rec Hall up for renovations

So what will become of Rec Hall? First, there will be a name change. Rec Hall will become The Pavilion at ARC.

The facility, opened in 1976, will be retooled to better host intercollegiate competitions and other special events. Restrooms will be replaced, and seated risers will take the place of pullout bleachers. A consultant will be asked to recommend other changes.

As the ARC opening approaches, Rebecca Miller is becoming more familiar with the building she'll supervise on a part-time basis. "It's been interesting to see it evolve, to witness that." And when she says she's excited for the opportunities, she isn't just talking about work, but recreation too. What does she see herself using in the fitness center? "The jogging track, the treadmills -- who knows? There are going to be so many new things offered."