Recreation Center Facilities

Front Desk and Lobby

Front desk

At the Rec Center’s front desk, users can make facility reservations and check out equipment. Facilities available for reservation include the racquetball courts, fieldhouse courts, aerobic/dance studio, and classroom. Users can also check out equipment such as snowshoes, skis, basketballs, frisbees, climbing shoes, tennis racquets, and much more. Front desk policies are as follows:

Reservations

  • Courts (tennis, handball, racquetball, wallyball, squash, volleyball, and basketball). Same day reservations only by calling the Rec Center Front desk at x4487.
  • Consecutive play is not allowed, except in the case of an intramural tournament or league. Only one reservation can be made per phone call for a max of 90 minutes.
  • Concurrent reservations are not permitted, nor are reservations made in the name of others.
  • Be fair to all players, it is necessary that play stop immediately when court time has ended.
  • No black sole shoes, running shoes, or outdoor footwear of any kind allowed on any hardwood surface.

Lost and Found

  • The recreation center is not responsible for any article lost or found in the building. All items found will be held in storage for one term and then distributed to local charitable agencies.
  • All valuables found will be secured in a safe place and handed over to the security office.

Equipment

Equipment is available from the front counter in exchange for a valid OneCard. The Rec. Center offers all equipment needed for activities at not charge. We provide:

  • Snow Shoes
  • Classic Cross-Country Skis
  • Climbing Equipment
  • Racquetball and Squash Equipment
  • Basketballs/Soccer balls/Footballs/Volleyballs
  • Pickleball Equipment

The user is responsible for the replacement cost of the equipment that is damaged or not returned.

Climbing & Bouldering Walls

Carleton climbing wall closeup

Carleton’s 30ft high rock wall is molded granite simulating a real rock formation at Minnehaha Falls, near Minneapolis. Top rope and lead climbing are offered at the wall, and bouldering (climbing without ropes low to the ground) is offered in the bouldering cave. Both the climbing wall and bouldering cave are located in the Rec Center.

Climbing Rules

  1. Our wall is available for use by the Carleton community during specified open hours. Ask for our schedule at the Rec Center front desk. To participate in open hours, you must sign a waiver upon arrival. Participants under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign for them. All gear, including climbing shoes, is provided.
  2. First time user and beginner climbers will receive an orientation by a Carleton climbing staff member. Climbing staff members are available daily during open hours. The orientation includes safety instruction, an introduction to our facilities and a belay lesson upon request. Climbing without staff supervision is prohibited.
  3. Experienced climbers may toprope or lead climb upon passing a belay test. You must pass with 100% accuracy to receive your certification. New climbers may receive lessons from staff before testing.
  4. Wall Fees – Climbing is free to the Carleton community.
  5. Climbing Wall Hours of Operations: Posted at the start of each term.
  6. Climbers may use their own harness and shoes with the understanding that they take full responsibility for the safety of their equipment.

Equipment

Students, Faculty, Staff can use climbing equipment for free. Use your own gear at your own risk.

Annual Safety Checks

Due to the challenge of creating a safe climbing environment, you are required to demonstrate an adequate skill level ANNUALLY in order to have access to the climbing wall. Please note that this skills check is good for 12 months starting September 1st of each year.

Eligibility to Access the Climbing Wall

You must be a minimum of 16 years of age in order to climb on the wall and 10 to boulder in the bouldering cave (must have supervision).

Bouldering Wall

Carleton bouldering cave!

The bouldering wall was installed in the summer of 2005 and its walls are 12ft high. A textured rubber mold was pushed over drying concrete plaster to create a rough surface and the flooring consists of multiple layers. Climbing routes are marked with tape, and colored cards signal difficulty level. In addition, the bouldering cave does not require ropes or working with a partner.

View the Bouldering & Climbing Wall instructional videos.

Racquetball Courts

The Recreation Center has two convertible squash or racquetball courts. These courts can be reserved in advance, and users are encouraged to do so. Reservation guidelines are as follows:

  1. A court may be reserved no earlier than 24 hours in advance.
  2. Consecutive play is not allowed, except in the case of an intramural tournament or league. Only one reservation can be made per person/group/activity.
  3. Concurrent reservations are not permitted, nor are reservations made in the name of others. All reservations are for up to 90 minutes.
  4. There is a 10-minute grace period for reservations. After the 10-minute grace period the court is available on a first come basis.
  5. Be fair to all players; it is necessary that play stop immediately when court time has ended.
  6. No black sole shoes/marking shoes or outdoor footwear of any kind allowed on any hardwood surface. (Clean non-marking shoes are required).

Note: If you are more than 10 minutes late for your reserved court time, we reserve the right to forfeit your court time.

Fitness Center

rec center fitness equipment

The Fitness Center provides strength and conditioning activities for students, faculty, and staff in a user-friendly environment. The center provides a balance of cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. To view the equipment available in the Fitness Center, use the links below.

Fieldhouse Courts & Track

The Fieldhouse, located in the Recreation Center upper floor, contains four courts that are commonly used for basketball, volleyball, tennis, indoor soccer, Pickleball, and batting practice. It is equipped with curtains that can be raised or lowered to separate each of the courts, as well as to separate the courts from the track. The area is available for intramural sports, club sports, varsity sports, physical education classes, and open recreation.

The fieldhouse contains a six-lane, 200-meter track with an eight-lane straightaway. The track is frequented by walkers, joggers, and the varsity indoor track team. The fieldhouse also contains a long jump pit and a pole vault runway.

The fieldhouse policies are as follows:

  1. The fieldhouse is available for open recreation at all times with the exception of pre-approved events. The courts and running track will have shared use by Intramural Sports, Club Sport practice, Varsity practice, and PE classes. At no time will the fieldhouse be totally closed to open recreation use while these group activities are going on.
  2. Fieldhouse courts can be made for same day reservations only by calling the Rec Center Front desk at x4487. Reservations can be made for a max of 90 minutes.
  3. Individuals conducting themselves in an anti-social manner will be asked to leave the building.
  4. Beverages and food (unless in a specific event) are not allowed on the fieldhouse floor. Under no circumstances are glass containers allowed in the recreation center.
  5. Any individual who dunks, attempts to dunk, hangs or breaks down the rims at the recreation center will be asked to leave the building.
  6. Clean and dry athletic shoes are required when using the fieldhouse, racquetball courts, aerobic room and weight room. No street shoes, boots, sandals, or marking footwear are allowed. Patrons may not play on the courts in bare feet.

Note: If you are more than 10 minutes late for your reserved court time, we reserve the right to forfeit your court time.

Other Facilities

Cowling Gymnasium

Cowling Gymnasium

Cowling Gymnasium provides a gymnasium, an indoor tennis practice court, a dance/aerobics studio, locker room facilities, and a 25-yard pool. The site serves as a separate practice facility for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams and provides a year-round home for the women’s soccer team locker room.

Cowling Gymnasium is available to the Carleton Community during specified hours of the week. Located right across from Evans hall, it has facilities for:

  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Badminton/Pickleball
  • Swimming
  • Volleyball
  • Dance/Aerobics Studio

Dance/Aerobics Studio

The aerobics studio is frequently used for classes in areas such as aerobics, yoga, martial arts, and dance. The studio can also be used for individual practice. The guidelines for reserving the studio are as follows:

  1. The multi purpose classroom is available for open recreation except for regularly scheduled classes.
  2. Use of the facility is limited to aerobic dance, step aerobics, dance practices (social, folk, jazz, modern, ballet, interpretive), first aid/CPR sessions, martial arts, fencing, and other appropriate fitness activities.
  3. The multi-purpose space can be booked at the Rec Center front desk by calling x4487 for same day reservations.
  4. Individuals conducting themselves in an anti-social manner will be asked to leave the building.
  5. Beverages and food (unless in a specific event) are not allowed on the classroom floor. Under no circumstances are glass containers allowed in the recreation center.
  6. Appropriate dance shoes or court shoes are required in the multi-purpose studio. No street shoes, boots, sandals and marking footwear are allowed when taking part in a physical activity or program.
  7. Use of tables and chairs in the multi-purpose studio is restricted to special events

Please contact Aaron Chaput at achaput@carleton.edu for reservations.

West Gymnasium

West Gym

The West Gymnasium houses a 1,240-seat arena that serves as the competition site for the Carleton varsity basketball and volleyball teams.

The multi-level facility also contains Thorpe Pool, the competition and training site for Carleton’s swimming & diving programs. Thorpe pool is 25-yard, six-lane, 350-seat facility that hosts multiple home meets each season. The Pool is also used for lap swims, club water polo and synchronized swimming, and activity classes.

The facility is also complete with training room facilities and well as multiple classrooms and meeting spaces.

West Gym was designed by renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki, who was later commissioned to build the World Trade Center in New York City. West Gym’s ‘three domed’ appearance makes it one of the most unique facilities in small college athletics.