Arrillaga Recreation Center Opens Monday; Sign Up at Today's Ribbon Cutting

July 18, 2012

The much-anticipated Arrillaga Recreation Center at SLAC will open Monday, July 23. Located on Pep Ring Road north of Building 901, the 17,600-square-foot facility and 7.5-acre recreation grounds will contribute to the health and wellness of SLAC and DOE employees and visiting scientists.

The center will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and managed by Stanford’s Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, for the first week the center is open, hours will be limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Normal 24/7 operations and business hours will start Monday, July 30.

SLAC badges will serve as card keys to access the center. SLAC and DOE employees can have their badge activated by completing a liability waiver and submitting it to a recreation center staff member during business hours. Employees can complete liability waivers at today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., or during business hours on their first visit.

Other people with business on the SLAC site, such as visiting researchers, Stanford Guest House lodgers and service contractors, can use the center for a fee of $5 per day. Card keys can be purchased from recreation center staff during business hours.

Spouses and domestic partners can use the center at no charge after obtaining a Stanford ID Card at the Stanford Card Office and then signing a liability waiver at the recreation center. For the time being, they will need to be escorted by a badged SLAC or DOE employee. When the second phase of SLAC’s site security project is complete, the recreation center will become part of the site’s general access area and escorts will no longer be necessary.

Stanford faculty, staff and students without business on site can use the center only if they are enrolled in a Stanford Health Improvement (HIP) class that’s being offered there. HIP classes scheduled through Aug. 30 will remain in their current locations. The SLAC Occupational Health Center is working with Stanford to develop a schedule of classes that will be held in the recreation center later this year.

The recreation center is the result of the vision and hard work of many people. Two years ago, DAPER opened up conversations with Stanford alumnus and benefactor John Arrillaga, whose generosity, passion for fitness, and get-things-done attitude made it possible for this facility to be built in just eight months.

The Arrillaga Recreation Center at SLAC is the sixth Stanford sports facility to bear the name of John Arrillaga and his family. The center will be operated under DAPER's budget, from university general funds, along with money from SLAC.

For more information about the recreation center, read the frequently asked questions, reference the general rules or visit the SLAC Occupational Health Center website. You may also contact the recreation center general manager, Chris Spells, at ext. 3313.

A shaded barbecue pavilion is located behind the new Arrillaga Recreation Center at SLAC. (Photo by Larissa Williams)