2.8  Recreation, Intercollegiate Athletics, Physical Education Laboratories and Open Space Element

Data and Analysis   

2005-2015  

In order to provide a comprehensive count of all existing recreation and open space facilities, an inventory of such facilities is organized based on the following chart.

UCF

RECREATION/OPEN SPACE

FACILITIES

 |                                                                      |      

ACTIVITY BASED                                            RESOURCE BASED

            __________|_____________________                             ___________|___________                  

TRACK &      COURT          SPECIAL                    ACTIVE                        PASSIVE

FIELD                                     FACILITY                  RESOURCE                 RESOURCE

Activity based facilities are defined as those facilities designed, constructed and designated for specific sports or recreation activities such as ball fields and race tracks.  Resource based facilities refer to those facilities that are primarily used for general recreation or organized social functions.  These resource based facilities are opened to all and not specifically designated for specific sports or recreational activities.  Resource based facilities may include open fields, public parks, nature trails or conservation areas.

Resource based facilities can be further defined and categorized as active and passive resources.  Active resource based facilities are generally accessible open spaces or parks where recreation activities are not specific.  Examples of active resource based facilities include open fields, picnic areas, nature trails and public parks.  Passive resource based facilities refer to those areas that are relatively inaccessible to any types of recreation activities and may include conservation and environmental mitigation areas.  Although these are not accessible, they provide visual and climatic enhancements to the campus.

Facility Inventory

Off-Campus Recreation, Intercollegiate Athletics, Physical Education Facilities and Open Spaces

Non-university owned or managed recreation and physical education facilities used by the University are listed below:

1)                  Orlando Citrus Bowl, downtown Orlando.  Approximately 16 miles from the campus.  This 68,000 seat facility is used for varsity football home games.

2)                  Eastwood Golf course.  Located seven miles south of the campus on Alafaya Trail, this facility is privately owned.  It is used for intercollegiate athletics golf practice and tournaments and physical education classes.

3)                  Oviedo Bowling Lane.  Located approximately three miles from campus and within the City of Oviedo, This facility is privately owned.  UCF uses this facility for physical education classes.

4)                  Econlockhatchee River Park and Canoe Trail, State Park.  This facility is a resource based recreation facility open to the public.  The size of this regional facility is not available.  The Trail provides access to the Econlockhatchee River.

5)                  Valencia East Campus facilities (used for physical education laboratories by the Physical Education Department).

University-Owned or Managed Facilities

As mentioned, these facilities are used primarily for physical education, intramural and intercollegiate sports and on-campus residential recreation.  The facilities are also periodically rented and/or open to public use as noted in the usage column.   

Level of Service Standard

Based on a review of the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) the following level of service standards are presented for comparison purposes:

Field Space:                           1 acre of space per 1000 students

Indoor Space Example:       Weight room 1000 square feet per 1000 students

Collegiate College Comparisons (Indoor Recreation Space)

1. National schools similar in size
   • University of Texas at Austin                    48,000             370,000 sq. ft.
   • Ohio State University                                  48,000             725,000 sq. ft.
   • Texas A & M                                     43,000             346,000 sq. ft.
2. Florida Schools

·        Florida State University                  37,000             136,000 sq. ft.

·        University of Florida                                   48,000             136,000 sq. ft.

·        University of Miami                                    12,000             114,000 sq. ft.

·        University of South Florida                        41,500             125,000 sq. ft.

UCF 2004 Fall Headcount:              42,000 students

                                                            1 acre per 2470 students (Field Space)

                                                            85,000 sq. ft. (indoor recreation space)

Analysis Requirements

This section discusses the problems, constraints and opportunities to efficiently provide recreation and open space facilities which meet the future demand of the University.  As indicated by the LOS standards, UCF currently has a lower existing level of service for recreation space than does the NIRSA standards as well as other universities with similar enrollment.  In addition to the LOS standard it is important to look at the Recreation planning principles as outlined by the NIRSA and SCUP through a joint effort.  The planning principles include:

• Establish recreation as a pillar of the University’s comprehensive plan
• Create and maintain a vision of physical development of recreational facilities, a vision which supports the mission and master plan
• Instill a real sense of community and enrich the experience of all who come to campus
• Foster a safe, secure, and accessing environment

Summary

The 85,000 square foot Recreation and Wellness Center along with the current plans to add a leisure pool, one tennis court, challenge course, artificial turf fields and support facilities is a welcome addition to the recreation needs of the UCF community.

However, existing recreation facilities appear to be insufficient to support the current and future needs of UCF and its student enrollment.  Various student groups are unable to use facilities due to the lack of or overuse of them.

In addition to the number of facilities available, several other factors need to be considered to increase facility sufficiency.  These include scheduling, extension of playing time, seasonal demand, recovery time and flexibility of fields or courts to be used for various kinds of activities.

Overall, UCF is currently below the national guidelines and standards for activity based recreation facilities.  This can be supported in comparison to schools with similar enrollment that have much larger facility space.  As the campus continues to grow, more land will be needed for buildings, parking and activity based recreation facilities.  Future resource based recreation and open space must be carefully developed utilizing spaces formed between buildings.

Recommendations for Improvement

Based on UCF observations and interviews during the data collection, the following specific list of problems, constraints and opportunities were identified:

1. The swimming pool condition is deteriorating and in need of upgrading and repairs due to age.  The existing pool is in demand.  A new leisure pool is in the building stage and will assist with the recreation needs of participants.  Repairs to the existing pool must be made to accommodate the competitive programs such as lap swimming, water polo, scuba certifications, and possible swim meets.

2. The recreation building is a start in beginning to serve the recreation needs of the UCF community.  It is apparent that additional space will be needed and initial strides should be made within three - five years with expansion of current facilities.

3. Six, and soon to be seven, tennis courts shared by the entire campus are insufficient.  Additional courts should be provided and determined by the number of users.

4. Total number of fields and the condition of those fields are currently faced with a severe shortage.  An anticipated artificial turf field is being planned which will help alleviate this problem.  However, provisions should be made to repair, light, and properly irrigate the existing fields.

5. In order to conserve the supply and character of campus open space, field areas should be designed to allow maximum flexibility for various recreation and intramural sports.  For example, several field sports could share one large open area instead of designing one field for each individual sport or activity.  Several recreation and intramural sport activities are seasonal and can be played on the same field as other sports by merely realigning the field lines.

6. To maximize the usefulness of outdoor facilities, appropriate storage areas, support buildings and safety shelter should be provided in proximity to all recreational facilities.  Currently building #25 serves as the only restroom facilities and storage for all fields.  The pavilions planned for the field expansion will be a welcome addition to that end.

7. Concern is expressed for any gap in reduction in service during expansion.  This is a result of the severe need for recreational space for a residential campus.

a)                  An analysis of the projected needs for recreation and open space facilities required to meet the needs of the future University population (students, faculty and staff) based on University standards and calculations or established level of service standards.  The University of Central Florida outdoor recreation facilities are currently limited with regard to student use and number of facilities.  Looking at the student population, number of intramural sports offered, number of sport clubs, and ideal standards for usage, the number of fields at UCF are over capacity.  The future expansion of intramural fields in the south section of the campus will allow increased capacity, more flexibility for field rotation to avoid compaction and abuse.Calculations used to assess facility sufficiency take into consideration a number of factors.  These factors include variety of fields (club sports, intramural   sports, or open recreation), frequency of use, student enrollment, and unique layout diminishing the flexibility for use (i.e. softball field).  The methodology used for determining the number of fields an institution needs for appropriate recreation use is based on a number of factors.  The general standards, as recommended by the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), are 1 acre per 1000 students enrolled.  Additionally, the number of fields can be adjusted based on number of teams, type of field (natural or synthetic surface), and appropriate field lighting.  Presently at UCF there are currently 15 intramural sports that use outside fields, some with up to 150 teams, and 7 sport clubs.  Current field space includes 18 acres of natural grass space and no lights on the fields with the exception of the two softball fields.  Natural fields should ideally be programmed between 18 to 24 hours in any given week, but there are few limitations on synthetic fields.  Given these assumptions, the University of Central Florida appears in below average condition without additional fields in the south section of campus being built.  If synthetic fields are used for future facilities, recreation use could be programmed for up to nine hours per day, reducing the impact on existing fields.  In summary, the existing and future facilities at the University do not appear to address the student’s current and future needs for recreation space.  The construction of additional recreation fields with synthetic surface and lights could provide flexibility for programming and alleviate poor field conditions.

b)                 An assessment of the adequacy of the existing recreational facilities and open spaces to meet the projected needs of the University (on-campus, and off-campus), including a description of the extent to which off-campus facilities may meet some or all of the University projected needs.

The 1995 Report highlighted the condition of the swimming pool, the need for an all-purpose recreation facility, the provision of lighting existing fields in order to extend use, additional tennis courts, and a more efficient layout of fields and corresponding support facilities.  The Recreation and Wellness Center, located by the Academic Village, has benefited the campus and helped alleviate many of the shortfalls identified in the 1995 plan.  Additionally, with the construction of a new leisure pool, repairs made to existing competitive pool, and additional tennis court, will also address previous concerns.  The provisions adding fields, tennis courts, as well as lighting facilities continues to be at a premium when addressing the 1995 plan.

c)                  An assessment of opportunities for alternative future facility siting in order to conserve the supply and character of campus open space.

The south end of campus, near the Academic Village, is an appropriate site for the expansion of future recreation facilities and allows for the consolidation of support facilities.  In addition to the current recreation fields, recreation center, tennis courts, and leisure pool, plans include adding a challenge course and new multi-purpose field area.  Additional recreation areas include the Frisbee golf course which is housed at the entrance of campus and the Lake Claire recreation area over by Greek Park.

d)                 An analysis of planned future recreation and open space facilities, as adopted by the host community in their comprehensive plan or other best available data.

Orange County Parks and Recreation Division is in the process of finalizing it’s two-year Capital Improvements budget, which includes the expansion of the Little Econ Greenway Trail.  The next planned phase, subject to Board of County Commissioners’ approval, will extend east from its current terminus at Blanchard Park, then north to the south entrance of the University (Central Florida Blvd.).  The University will coordinate with Orange County regarding specific alignment and amenity details of the trail.