Campus Recreation

The campus is changing. That’s not a news flash after years of growth. But this summer brings a fun bit of construction, including overhauls to central campus gathering spaces. An outdoor kitchen is being added to the Quad, Prescott Field will feature its own sitting area and more shade trees and Thunderground will have a whole new look. But maybe most exciting of all is the big change coming to GCU Arena.

By Mike Kilen GCU News Bureau Amanda Alfaro just touched down from the climbing wall at the Canyon Activity Center. “It tests muscles I don’t use on a regular basis,” said the Grand Canyon University student. “You don’t climb walls every day.” She does now. The junior justice studies major discovered the wall last year because it was something she could do during the pandemic when other events and activities where restricted. She loves it so much she joined a climbing gym over the summer in Los Angeles. “I love the community here,” she said of the climbers at GCU. “They are all really encouraging you: ‘Try it this way. You can do it!’” That spirit was evident at Friday’s Welcome Back at the CAC, part of Welcome Week. The event introduced students to Campus Recreation programs, including Outdoor Recreation, Intramurals and Fitness. (See photographer Ralph Freso‘s slideshow here.) The enthusiasm for the year of recreation is off the charts. Outdoor Recreation has hundreds of adventure trips planned, and the three on Labor Day Weekend were filled in 15 minutes on myrec.gcu.edu. Not long after, the whole month of trips was filled. “It seems overwhelmingly that everyone is excited to […]