The Raymond B. Preston & Activities Center on Western Kentucky University's campus, offers students, faculty, and staff one of the finest campus recreation facilities in the country. Constructed in 1992, the Preston Center added a new dimension to recreational activities, intramural-sports, and open recreation for the university community. Components of the Preston Center include a weight room, fitness room, gymnasium, dance studio, racquetball courts, swimming pool, a pro-shop, the Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Center, a Health & Fitness Lab, and many other features.
The Bill Powell Natatorium includes a 25-meter x 25-yard swimming pool, which contains 350,000 gallons of water. The pool depth ranges from four to thirteen feet and includes ten 25-yard lanes. The design also allows for eight 25-meter lanes. The natatorium contains an ADA compliant pool lift and is accessible for everyone. Also included in the natatorium is balcony seating for 300 spectators and an outdoor sun deck.
The Hattie L. Preston Intramural Sports Complex on Western Kentucky University’s campus offers students, faculty, and staff one of the finest campus recreation facilities in the country. Completed in 2000 at a cost of $2.2 million, the Preston Complex added a new dimension to recreational activities, intramural sports, and open recreation for the university community.
The Hattie L. Preston Intramural Sports Complex is located on the corner of Campbell Lane & Industrial Drive in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The complex is comprised of 24 acres that has been developed to create a state of the art outdoor sports facility. On these 24 acres are four American Softball Association regulation softball fields, seven National Intramural Recreational Sports Association flag football fields, two regulation National Collegiate Athletic Association soccer fields, two National Collegiate Athletic Association Lacrosse fields, and one USA Rugby regulation rugby pitch. There is state of the art irrigation and lighting system for the Complex as well.
The WKU Challenge Course provides a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for the WKU campus and surrounding community by delivering experiences that provide a sense of accomplishment and develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills for individuals and groups.
Gymnasium
The Preston Center features a 6 court gymnasium which is used for many activities. The gym has 4 hardwood courts and 2 synthetic courts.
Basketball, tennis, volleyball, whiffle ball, and team handball are just a few of the many activities accessible on these courts. The
courts are available for open recreation, intramural sports, and physical education classes.
Weight Room
The Preston Center boasts a 5,000 square foot cardiovascular/weight room which houses some of the most modern fitness equipment available.
A multitude of equipment choices in the free weight, cardiovascular, and selectorized exercise areas include the following:
- Precor EFX Crosstrainers
- Woodway Treadmills
- Schwinn Airdyne bicycles
- Concept II Rowers
- Nordic Tracs
- Badger Magnum Advantage Selectorized Multi-station weight machine
- Pyramid Selectorized weight machines
- Body Masters, Pro Industries, and Hammer Strength weight equipment
- Cybex Arc Trainers
- Iron Grip Urethane Dumbbells
- Ivanko Barbells
- StairMaster Free Climber 4600PT
- Stair Master 3800 RC Bikes
- Lifecycle Upright Bicycles
Fitness Room
The 800 square foot fitness room, unlike the weight room, is open throughout facility operational hours. The fitness room
includes over 20 selectorized weight machines and provides a good alternative for the often congested weight room.
Dance Studio
Aerobics and fitness programs are housed in the 5,000 square foot dance studio. The dance studio features a shock
absorbent floor, audio and visual systems, and space to accommodate 100+ participants.
Racquetball Courts
Another popular area of the Preston Center are the 7 regulation size racquetball courts. The racquetball courts are 800 square feet and
consist of maple-strip flooring. Spectator areas are available on the upper level of the facility.
Mezzanine
The Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center also offers additional cardiovascular equipment and lounging area in the
upstairs lobby. The mezzanine also serves as an entrance to the elevated running track, dance studio, and offices.
Elevated Track
Circling the gymnasium is a 1/7 mile track for walkers and joggers. The track has three lanes. The corners are slightly
banked to ensure smooth laps. The track offers a great running surface in fair or foul weather.
Other Features
The Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center also offers separate locker rooms for faculty/staff and students, a lounge
and vending area, and a first-aid room. For more information on the Preston Center, please contact us at (270) 745-6060.
Swimming Pool Policies & Patron Responsibilities
The following rules are an abbreviation
of the rules posted on the walls in the pool area. The following rules,
as well as all others posted, are to be strictly enforced.
- All members must enter and exit the pool from the locker rooms only. No one is to enter or exit through the back outside doors or gym doors.
- All swimmers must shower before entering the pool
- No food, drink, gum, tobacco, or personal items allowed in the pool area.
- Admission is refused to all persons having any contagious disease(s), open wound(s), or any other infectious condition or
illness, and those under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or exhibiting erratic behavior.
- An adult must accompany children under the age of fourteen. An exception may be allowed for children under the age of fourteen
who display the ability to swim without the help of another person or a floatation device, and can swim from one side of the pool
to the other without stopping or touching the bottom of the pool. This rule only applies when the child's guardian remains in the
building. Under no circumstances are guardians to leave the Preston Center while children under the age of fourteen remain inside
the building. If a child cannot pass the above described swim test, then the parent must be in the pool water with the child. If
a question should arise from a member regarding this rule, contact the facility supervisor.
- Members may bring their towels and leave them on the bleachers. All other items are to be placed in the lockers in the locker rooms.
- Proper swimming attire must be worn at all times; swimsuits or equivalent. Cutoffs are not allowed!
- No street shoes are to be worn on the pool deck, unless give permission by facility supervisor
- No diving in the shallow water.
- The starting blocks are to be used for swim team practices and meets only!
Diving Board Policies & Patron Responsibilities
- One person on the board at a time.
- Divers may take only one bounce on the board.
- Divers must dive or jump straight off the end of the board.
- Divers must exit the water by swimming out to the last lane (closest to the boards) and then swim to the side of the pool unless otherwise instructed by the lifeguards.
- No floatation devices, masks, goggles, or other equipment allowed when on the boards.
- Absolutely no inward dives.
- Divers are not permitted to change the fulcrum setting.
Natatorium Specifications
- 25 meter x 25 yard swimming pool
- 350,000 gallon capacity
- 10 lanes
- 4 to 13 foot depth
- 2 one meter diving boards
- 1 three meter diving board
- ADA compliant hydraulic lift
- 300 capacity spectator seating observatory
- Sun deck
Pool chemicals are monitored
by a Strantrol digital controller. The Strantrol provides continuous oxidizer
and pH control. The oxidizer used is calcium hypochlorite (briquette form)
and sodium bisulfate is used to control the pH level. Other common chemicals
used to help maintain water balance are sodium bicarbonate and calcium
chloride. The flow rate is at least 972 gallons per minute and the pool water temperature is kept between 81-83 degrees Fahrenheit.
An Ultra Violet Disinfection System was installed in January, 2007. Ultraviolet light (UV) provides a non-chemical, environmentally friendly treatment option for a wide range of processes. Most microorganisms, even cryptosporidium, are inactivated in less than a second by high doses of UV light, leaving no undesirable chemical residues.
