As the weather cools down to seasonal temperatures, there is a lot more to do than hibernate.
Students have access to wonderful on-campus programming that can keep them active — not only for a serotonin rush to beat the seasonal affective disorder blues, but to have an opportunity to join a campus community.
The university has lots to offer, whether students are looking for low-commitment recreational activities, an official recreational sports club or even a more competitive intramural league.
There are group fitness classes offered every day at the Fort Garry campus and on weekdays at the Bannatyne campus, encompassing everything from cycling to Zumba.
With the Joyce Fromson Pool having reopened on Sunday there are still swimming classes to sign up for, including the advanced Masters Swim Clubs.
For students wanting something more casual, drop-in casual rec use is a low-commitment option for not only the pool, but also the gyms on campus. Essentially, on-campus facilities have designated times where students can drop-in and use the spaces.
Drop-in casual rec opportunities include anything from hitting the ice during free skate time at the Max Bell Centre’s Wayne Fleming Arena to rounding up a group of friends for a game of badminton or basketball. Students can find an exhaustive list of casual rec schedules on the university’s recreation services website.
These drop-in times have maximum capacity limits, so check online for those limits and plan accordingly. All drop-in casual rec use is free for eligible University of Manitoba students, covered by the Sport and Rec fee included in tuition. Some equipment is provided on site but make sure to check what is available, as all other equipment will be the responsibility of the student.
Students wishing to take a more committed approach to the on-campus recreational sports community can join one of the UM Rec clubs. From the leisure climbing club to the competitive ringette club, there many opportunities for students to join a dedicated recreational community.
Information about joining a UM Rec club can also be found on the recreation services website, along with details on how the clubs are organized and whether a club is for the leisurely or the competitive.
The most serious recreational on-campus communities students can join are the intramural sports leagues. From the usual suspects of basketball, hockey, soccer and volleyball, to innertube water polo and cricket teams, the intramural leagues are for more experienced students.
While there are competitive intramural leagues, there is also the recreational league if students wish to join a sports community and just have fun.
It should be noted that the majority of UM Rec clubs as well as the intramural sports teams are not covered in the Sport and Rec fee and require additional spending. All information about the prices of these clubs can be found online.
Remember, physical activity can help decrease anxiety and depression, and being part of a community contributes to overall well-being. So as the days grow shorter and colder, join a club, make some new friends and combat university stress with well-deserved fun.
Additional information about any of this programming can be found at umanitoba/community/sport-recreation/recreation-services.
