The West Virginia University recreation center will remain temporarily closed despite a petition urging the administration to reopen the facility.
According to The DA, WVU’s independent student newspaper, the rec center in Morgantown is serving as the university’s primary COVID-19 testing and vaccination hub. That has kept the facility closed to student recreation throughout the pandemic, while the rec department has worked to offer alternatives such as virtual and outdoor classes.
Outdoor classes aren’t as feasible during the winter, which has led to a decrease in petition and spurred WVU student Jakob Janoski to create a petition to reopen the center.
“Please help the students of West Virginia University understand what specific actions need to be taken in order to reopen The Student Recreation Center,” reads the petition, which had 3,000 signatures as of Friday morning. “With the proper precautions, it is possible for The Student Recreation Center to open. It would also be safer if most students came to work out at one place with consistent safety precautions rather than having them workout at local gyms that may not have the same concern for the students’ safety.
“The students appreciate the steps the University has taken to keep them safe, but The Student Recreation Center seems to be ready for use.”
The university has yet to act on reopening the rec center.
“The University’s health and safety advisory team continues to evaluate the evolving information related to the virus and make adjustments as necessary including the use of the Rec enter,” WVU director of campus recreation Andrew Darling said in a statement last week.
