The HPER Complex (short for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation) is a multipurpose facility on the campus of the
University of Arkansas. Built in 1984, it is designed to house the entire Health Science, Kinesiology, Recreation, and Dance programs. The department of University Recreation is housed in the HPER and helps to run the daily operation of the facility. It has four levels (floors), as listed below. The facility is currently under the direction of Becky Todd, Executive Director of University Recreation.
The building was designed by
Mott, Mobley, McGowan & Griffin of
Fort Smith.
[''Planning Facilities for Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation'' (Athletic Institute and American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 1985)]
Level 1
Level 1 is home to ten
racquetball courts (eight of which have glass back walls, and two of which have solid black walls), as well as an observation lounge. Two of the courts are even marked for
wallyball
Wallyball (known in some places as rebound volleyball) is a fast-paced sport that is similar to volleyball played in a racquetball court, where it is legal to hit the ball off of the walls.
The word "wallyball" is a portmanteau of the words "wal ...
and
squash. It also is home to the Outdoor Connection Center, where various outdoor equipment can be rented at a nominal fee.
Level 2
Level 2 is home to 50-meter, 533,000 gallon
natatorium (unique in its shallowest end being in the middle), a multiple-activity gymnasium with a
seating capacity of 400 and a regulation-sized college basketball court (which is part-time home to the Arkansas Fantastics of the
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a major men's professional basketball league from 1967 to 1976. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger, American Basketball Association–National Basketball Association merger in 1976, ...
), the Donna Auxum Fitness & Weight Training Center, and two dance studios (a practice one, and a performance one with a
seating capacity of 200).
Level 3
Level 3 is home to three gymnasiums, a human performance laboratory, five classrooms, and the faculty offices.
Level 4
The top level holds a jogging track, with the outside lane ⅛ of a mile in length.
References
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Indoor arenas in Arkansas
Sports venues in Arkansas
University of Arkansas buildings
1984 establishments in Arkansas
Sports venues completed in 1984
Basketball venues in Arkansas
Swimming venues in Arkansas
University and college buildings completed in 1984