COVID-19 has changed how students access the University Recreation Center.

The new system at the rec requires students to reserve a timeslot before entering the facility.

Reservations were initially available two weeks in advance, but due to an overwhelming amount of unclaimed reservations, it was shortened to 48 hours.

Wes Hook, an operational supervisor at the rec, said after the first week the staff knew the system needed to change.

“There are so many people not getting reservations just because they weren’t one of those people that signed up for every time block on every day,” Hook said. “This system needs to work; it needs to change.”

Kaden Freeman, a senior entrepreneurship and innovation double-major, said the window to make a reservation is much better now.

“It’s hard to plan days in advance if you’re actually going to be free…I think a two-day buffer is pretty good.”

There is an hour in between each time block to allow the staff to clean the rec before the next group enters. Each time block ranges from 3-4 hours.

Freeman said although the situation is not ideal, he is still making the most of it.

“If you can nail down a time zone where you can work out every day it works pretty well,” said Freeman.

Hook said he is proud of both the staff and the students for their patience and cooperation throughout the process.

“The management at the rec has handled it pretty smoothly and I’m thankful for the way a lot of the students have handled it too,” Hook said. “We’ve done a good job of adapting to the circumstances we’re in.”