School of Health, Physical Education, & Leisure Services

Facilities and Locations

The School of HPELS utilizes several complementary facilities as described below:

Human Performance Center (HPC)

The Human Performance Center, a part of the UNI's Student First Campaign is a 2-story, 33,000 sq. ft. facility that promotes a unique community partnership with Allen Memorial Hospital, Cedar Valley Medical Specialists, PC, and Covenant Medical System. The HPC includes space for instructional and outreach programs for the UNI School of HPELS.

It also provides facilities for programs in athletic training, offers enhanced medical services in the areas of orthopedic rehabilitation and sports injuries, and provides additional weight training space for student athletes. The construction cost of the $7 million building was partially funded by a $1.8 million federal appropriation through the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration. Fundraising by the UNI Foundation and support from the medical community covered the rest of the building's cost.

Wellness & Recreation Center (WRC)

The nationally award winning $18.57 million Wellness/Recreation Center houses the School of Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services and Wellness & Recreation Services. Resources include 5 aerobic/dance studios, 6 handball / racquetball courts, 2 multipurpose courts, a 1 / 10th mile jogging track, a fitness/conditioning area, a leisure pool, an instructional pool with seating for 300, a 40-foot climbing wall, 8 seminar and classrooms, faculty offices, and research labs.

Laboratories and studios found in the WRC include Athletic Training, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Psychomotor Behavior, Strength & Conditioning, Rhythm and Movement Studio, computer instructional laboratory, ITS Student Computer Center, and Wellness Resources laboratory.

McLeod Center

The west campus complex is a perfect complement to other community venues on campus, including the UNI-Dome and the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. By becoming a focal point for athletic support and education, the new facility deepens UNI's strong sense of community. The McLeod Center enhances the image of the UNI-Dome and creates new usage opportunities.

By freeing the UNI-Dome for an additional 90 event days per year, the annual attendance was expected to double. The McLeod Area has 6,500 seat multi-purpose arena and is home to Panther Men and Women's Basketball, UNI Volleyball and Wrestling. The event complex includes the following ammentities: - Green Rooms - Retractable Bleachers - Vehicle Entrance (2) unloading - Underground Connection to the UNI-Dome - Hall of Fame above ground (connection to the UNI-Dome) The arena also plays host to many external events including family entertainment, trade shows, concerts, other entertainment events, high school basketball and volleyball tournaments, and receptions / banquets.

UNI Dome

The UNI-Dome, the first significant outcome of private fund-raising for the University of Northern Iowa since the construction of the Campanile in 1926, was built to house a variety of performances and activities. In most cases, the Dome has served the university and the community well. It stands as a tribute to the alumni, community people, and university administrators who strongly supported its construction. This group found ways to overcome opposing viewpoints and crushing monetary inflation to bring the project to completion.

While it is true that the Dome has seen more than its share of problems over the years, most of the problems have had to do with the building's experimental roof design. Yet, had planners decided to use a conventional roof, the added expense would likely have delayed the project for many years. Troubles with the roof were a price to be paid for getting the facility built in a reasonable amount of time. Currently the Dome is used for athletics, concerts, sports camps, recreation, community events, craft shows, convocations, and Commencement ceremonies. It has been the site of national sports tournaments, performances by some of the best-known groups in popular music, and memorable UNI athletics contests. It has come to be one of the most widely-recognized symbols of the UNI campus, and it is likely to remain so for many years to come.

West Gymnasium

The building was called Men's Gymnasium, to distinguish it from Women's Gymnasium (now East Gymnasium ), for over fifty years. It was renamed Gymnasium No. 1 in 1977, to reflect the participation of both men and women in activities held there. However, this name did not catch on well, so in October 1979, it received its current name, West Gymnasium.