The beginning of summer doesn’t mean the end of activities at campus recreational facilities. There are still many activities students can take part in, including aerobics classes and intramural sports.

Mike Harvey, associate director of recreation services, said the Lied Recreation Center is here to offer a service, whether it’s summer or not.

Despite shortened hours of operation due to smaller crowds, students, faculty and staff are still able to enjoy the Rec.

“We are here to provide the best quality facilities we can,” Harvey said.

Harvey said varying summer schedules lead to crowds spreading throughout the day, rather than having a peak usage time as during the year.

For a few weeks during New Student Orientation, the Rec will be open until midnight, Harvey said.

From 10 p.m. to midnight, the Rec will be available for new students to use. Current users will be allowed to use the Rec during those times as well.

Harvey said more students work out in the Rec than other fitness facilities on campus. The fitness opportunities available at the Rec are more unique, newer and better than those at State Gym, Beyer Hall and Forker, he said.

“Lied has more variety than other places in Ames,” said Vanessa Goetz, senior in industrial engineering.

The Rec’s services include two indoor tracks, a steam room, racquetball courts, several basketball courts and a climbing wall.

“The climbing wall is cool. People are into those trendy things,” said Sarah Hood, senior in communication studies.

Other summer activities will take place at the Rec as well, Harvey said.

The Special Olympics were held there in May and the Iowa Games will take place in July. Several sports camps will be using the facilities throughout the summer as well.

The recreation services office is continuing to make improvements to all facilities. Approximately $166,000 from student fees is used to make any improvements that are needed, Harvey said.

The new climbing wall put in this year at the Rec was funded by students. New floors for Beyer Hall and State Gym are a few of the renovations that will be done in the next few years.

In order to use the Rec, students must show their spring or summer fee card and picture identification.

Faculty and staff must purchase a user card at the Rec for $40 during the summer or $80 during the year.

The Rec is open daily whereas other facilities such as the State Gym, Beyer Hall and Forker may not be open regularly.