Rink

History For Eastern Washington University (EWU) students, faculty, staff and com- munity members, May 8, 2008 was a highly anticipated celebration. Crowds gathered on the EWU campus in Cheney, Wash. in anticipation of a big announce- ment as the associated student body gov- ernment, the director of recreational facil- ities and the president of the University were about to open "something big" on campus. On that day, after nearly five years of voting, planning, demolition and construction efforts, the brand new University Recreation Center (URC) had its ribbon cut and doors opened. The opening of the facility marked a great day after a long partnership between several groups to help with funding and make it a reality. The URC is jointly fund- ed by the University and its students, with $28.6 million in revenue bonds being issued by the University to build the facili- ty and pay the costs of issuance. The University funds the center's annual oper- ating costs as part of its general operating budget, and the EWU student body will pay off the bonds over time through the implementation of a $65 per quarter activity fee. The Ice Arena Proudly displaying the EWU Eagle logo on center ice, this 200' x 85' ice rink has not only given hockey players and figure skaters an additional practice and game facility, it has sparked an otherwise un- tapped interest in recreational ice skating for people of all skill levels. The URC serves EWU students first and foremost with 35-40 hours per week dedicated to public skate times. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays offer three hours of stick & puck and drop-in hockey sessions, while Tuesdays and Thursdays offer learn-to- skate lessons and drop-in figure skating sessions. One of the biggest attractions the URC Ice Arena has to offer is the highly Cheney, Washington Eastern Washington University featured rink by JAMIE GWINN 12 R INK MAGAZ INE november/december 2009 STARrinks.com Welcome To The University Recreation Center EDGE ICE ARENA

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