During my time studying at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, I’ve heard many people around me talk about wanting to “hit the gym,” without knowing they already have a free resource available on campus. In the same way, anytime I would hype up the beach tennis facility to my friends they would stare at me, surprised, “The campus has free beach tennis courts?” After these experiences, I came to the conclusion that a great deal of students have little to no clue about the recreation and athletic spaces that the campus offers. So I decided to compile a list of all of the facilities with their locations and operating hours; plus, some additional tips for students to enjoy and make the most out of them!
- Basketball & Volleyball Courts
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The campus has three basketball and volleyball courts located in the Cosme Beitia Sálamo Complex, also known as El Complejo Deportivo, which is parallel to the campus’s Law School Library. The courts are free to use as long as they are not actively being used for class purposes, matches, or practices.
- Gym
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The campus’s gym, which is also inside the Cosme Beitia Sálamo Complex, can be found beside the basketball court, just around the left corner by the red door. The operating hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays, unless there are courses, special training, or assemblies being given. The gym features machines, bars, and dumbbells that are great for a full-body workout!
- Tennis Courts
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If you cross the bridge that overlooks Barbosa Avenue, you will find six hard tennis courts available for students. The #1 court can be used at any given moment, as long as it isn’t being used at the time for class purposes, college matches, practices, or any activity affiliated with the campus’s Education and Recreation Department. That said, if this court is taken, you can reserve one of the other courts 24 hours prior to use. You can learn more about how to make the reservation here. The courts have several regulations in relation to clothing, shoe attire, and conduct that are placed on the wall next to the bathrooms and the Athletic Department Office.
- Track & Soccer Field
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The track and soccer field are found near the tennis courts. The 400-meter track can be used for walking, running, or training at any given time. However, the soccer field is free to use, unless practices, courses, or matches are taking place.
- Beach Volleyball & Tennis Courts
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Lastly, the campus offers six sand courts that can function for both beach volleyball and tennis if you modify the height of the net. These courts are located near the baseball field and can equally be used as long as there are no courses, special training, or Education and Recreation Department activities occurring. Students must use proper attire for playing (active wear and no shoes) as well as follow the conduct rules of the Department. If you would like to have an activity in the courts for a student organization, you can contact the Education and Recreation Department’s associate director, Sr. Mieles, who can give you further information on that matter.
On a final note, if you are a student at UPRRP, it’s essential for you to make the most out of these free resources and promote them to other people on campus who might not know all of these even exist!