Thank you for being a valued RecWell member. We appreciate you being part of the RecWell community and look forward to serving your recreation and well-being needs.  We are writing to inform you of some changes in facility usage that impact the use of our facilities at the MCV Campus Recreation Center located in the Larrick Student Center. The decision to make these changes was difficult, but ultimately we need to make these adjustments in order to be good stewards of university resources and to provide the best service possible to our RecWell members. 

There are two major changes we have made that impact the members who use the MCV Campus Recreation Center.

First, we have closed the basketball courts, along with the spaces that are accessed through the courts.  This includes the racquetball and squash courts, cycle studio, and group exercise studio and the universal bathroom. The HVAC system that services the basketball courts is no longer operational and the replacement cost is prohibitive. Members who use the courts available for basketball, squash, and racquetball can utilize our courts located in the Cary Street Gym.  The group exercise and cycle studios have been relocated to the first floor next to the Power Training Room.

Additionally, we have closed the aquatic center and aquatic locker rooms. This decision stems from the combined factors of:

-- a national lifeguard shortage making it difficult to properly staff two locations
-- rising maintenance and operating costs, and
-- lower facility usage at the MCV Campus Aquatic Center. 

We welcome members who used this location to utilize the pools at our location in the Cary Street Gym.

Members will still have access to:

-- the fitness center
-- locker rooms
-- and the power lifting room

We will continue to offer personal training and massage therapy services at the MCV Recreation Center as well.

We also encourage members to take advantage of their access to the Cary Street. Gym. The Cary Street Gym features approximately 20,000 square feet of cardio and weight equipment, an aquatic center that includes two pools and a spa, cycle studio, group exercise studio, Mind/Body studio, four courts that can be used for basketball and other activities, two racquetball courts, a multi-activity center, and an indoor track.   

The following spaces at the MCV Campus Recreation Center will permanently close: 

• Aquatic Center and aquatic locker rooms
• Courts and spaces accessed through the courts, including: 
  • Racquetball and squash courts
  • Cycle studio
  • Group exercise studio
  • Universal Bathroom

Spaces that will remain open include:

• Fitness center, FIT Room, and the main locker rooms.  We still also continue to offer personal training and massage therapy services.  
• We are exploring the possibility of renovating an existing space to accommodate group exercise classes. 

There were many factors that contributed to this decision, including the increasing costs associated with operating and maintaining these spaces, usage patterns, and a nation-wide lifeguard shortage.

Yes.  RecWell memberships provide access to all RecWell facilities, programs, and services on both the MCV and the Monroe Park campuses. 

RecWell has converted a space on the first floor to accommodate group exercise and cycle classes. The space is available to members for informal use whenever a class isn’t scheduled.  The space is located next to the F.I.T. Room.

   There are no closures or operational impacts at this time.  For questions, please email recwell@vcu.edu.

1. Why is the Women’s Locker Room being renovated? 
1. The Cary Street Gym Women’s Main Locker Room is being renovated to mimic the renovation of the Men’s Main Locker Room two years ago. The renovated spaces feature a more ADA-accessible locker room with new lockers/locks and immovable benches. 
1. The day-use lockers will feature a non-digital lock, which provides a more reliable experience for our patrons. 
2. The rental lockers will be secured with locks provided by patrons, who will exclusively access their locker and belongings. 
2. When is construction occurring? 
1. Construction will begin on December 5. 
3. When will construction be done? 
1. We anticipate a re-opening on January 2. 
4. How will this impact Cary Street Gym Operations? 
1. Patrons cannot access the Women’s Main locker room during construction. 
2. We encourage patrons who use day-use lockers in this space to use the day-use locker room or any other day-use locker throughout the facility for their visit. 
3. Any members with current rental lockers will be asked to remove their items no later than December 4. Rental locker members will be asked to bring their items with them for each visit, and use a day-use locker during this time. We will not be able to relocate items to any locker for an extended period of time. All current rental agreements will be extended for the duration of the closure and will receive email communication regarding this information on November 4, November 22 and December 2. Additionally, the Membership team will be posting notes on all current rental lockers to inform them as well.  
5. Parking 
1. This project will limit some parking spots on Linden St. throughout the project. 
6. Who should I contact with questions or concerns? 
1. For members with current locker rentals, please contact recwell@vcu.edu. 
2. For any general questions related to the project should be directed to Amanda Simmons, alsimmons@vcu.edu