Community Day at the Rec includes access to cardio equipment and weight rooms. (SIU Carbondale photo)
January 06, 2026
Everyone invited to explore SIU’s Rec Center during Jan. 11 Community Day
CARBONDALE, Ill. — If you’ve ever wondered what all Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Student Recreation Center has to offer, here’s your chance to find out.
Everyone is welcome at the Community Day at the Rec, set for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11. Just bring a nonperishable food item, which will go to the Saluki Food Pantry to benefit students with food insecurity, and get access to all the amenities.
Community members, faculty, staff and students can check out the indoor 15-foot-tall climbing wall, Olympic-size swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, indoor pickleball courts, over 80 pieces of cardio equipment, three well-equipped weight rooms, two walking/running tracks and more. While all ages are welcome, anyone who is age 17 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Open swimming will be offered from 1-4 p.m. while the climbing wall and virtual fitness studio classes will be available 2-4 p.m. In addition, people who are not current Rec members will be able to sign up for one spring session of youth swim group lessons for the member rate during the event.
Get a discount membership
The Community Day also offers a bonus promotion. The first 25 people to sign up for a new membership on that day will get a 25% discount; the promotion is open to anyone who has not been a member since June 2025. The full annual membership fee must be paid at the time of purchase; the promotion isn’t available to those who pay via installments or payroll deduction.
Membership carries numerous privileges, including access to free group fitness classes, discount rates for other programs and reservations, eligibility to play intramural sports, use of massage chairs and a sauna, and other amenities.
For more information about SIU’s Community Day at the Student Recreation Center or the center itself, visit the website, call 618-453-1277 or email reccentr@siu.edu.