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TechnographUI martial arts clubs fight for space in cramped gym
By Erica Yuenger
Posted: 4/9/08 Section: Diversions
Since IMPE began its first phase of renovation in March 2006, avid exercisers and recreational clubs have been forced to make some changes.
The project is expected to be complete this June, but until then, students will have to make do with the East Wing facilities or travel to CRCE, and clubs who used to call IMPE their home will have to continue to practice wherever space can be found.
Martial arts clubs on campus are among those most affected by the IMPE renovation. With the beginning of construction came the end of the IMPE combat room, a space many martial arts clubs had used to practice.
Now, these clubs, such as Illini Tae Kwon Do, Tae Kwon Do at UIUC, Goshin Jitsu, Illini Judo, Illini Jujitsu and Kuk Sool Won, all must share the same practice space at Kenney Gym Annex, 1402 W. Springfield Ave.
At each practice, there is a combination of at least two of these clubs in the same space. On Monday and Wednesday evenings, four of these clubs practice at the same time, each confined to one corner of the gym.
The clubs are members of the Martial Arts Advisory Council at the University, an organization that acts as a collective bargaining group for the martial arts clubs.
Mike Aref, a member of the council, said it serves as a liaison between the martial arts groups and the Division of Campus Recreation, and helps facilitate the administrative business, including scheduling and setting up special events.
Craig Stinson, an associate director at the Division of Campus Recreation, said the creation of the council has been helpful in increasing communication between the martial arts clubs and the division, especially during the renovation of IMPE.
"It has been a very positive thing for both groups," Stinson said. "It brought us closer, and we can work more efficiently than we had before."
Despite the increased communication between the martial arts clubs and the Division of Campus Recreation, there are still restrictions on where the martial arts clubs can practice while IMPE is under construction.
The project is expected to be complete this June, but until then, students will have to make do with the East Wing facilities or travel to CRCE, and clubs who used to call IMPE their home will have to continue to practice wherever space can be found.
Martial arts clubs on campus are among those most affected by the IMPE renovation. With the beginning of construction came the end of the IMPE combat room, a space many martial arts clubs had used to practice.
Now, these clubs, such as Illini Tae Kwon Do, Tae Kwon Do at UIUC, Goshin Jitsu, Illini Judo, Illini Jujitsu and Kuk Sool Won, all must share the same practice space at Kenney Gym Annex, 1402 W. Springfield Ave.
At each practice, there is a combination of at least two of these clubs in the same space. On Monday and Wednesday evenings, four of these clubs practice at the same time, each confined to one corner of the gym.
The clubs are members of the Martial Arts Advisory Council at the University, an organization that acts as a collective bargaining group for the martial arts clubs.
Mike Aref, a member of the council, said it serves as a liaison between the martial arts groups and the Division of Campus Recreation, and helps facilitate the administrative business, including scheduling and setting up special events.
Craig Stinson, an associate director at the Division of Campus Recreation, said the creation of the council has been helpful in increasing communication between the martial arts clubs and the division, especially during the renovation of IMPE.
"It has been a very positive thing for both groups," Stinson said. "It brought us closer, and we can work more efficiently than we had before."
Despite the increased communication between the martial arts clubs and the Division of Campus Recreation, there are still restrictions on where the martial arts clubs can practice while IMPE is under construction.
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