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The 16-foot climbing tower at the Aquatics Center in the Donald S. Spencer Recreation Center hangs over the deep end of the facility's pool.
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WIU sophomore pre-law major Riley Addington won an iPad Mini in a recent climbing tower contest.
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AquaClimb Added to Donald S. Spencer Recreation Center's Aquatics Center

October 9, 2013

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University faculty, staff and students looking for a new recreational challenge can take on the AquaClimb wall, recently installed in the Aquatics Center at the Donald S. Spencer Recreation Center.

The AquaClimb poolside climbing wall has been added to the deep end of the swimming pool.

The new 16-foot wall was installed in early August and was part of a September contest at the center. Anyone who attempted to climb the wall during the month and was able to ring a cowbell at the top was entered to win an iPad Mini. There were more than 600 entries for the contest, which was also sponsored by the uTech Computer Store at Western.

Pat McGrath, assistant director of Aquatics and Outdoor Pursuits at Campus Recreation, said the new wall allows for an additional way to use the Center's pool.

"It is a free-climbing experience with a safe splash down and there are no ropes or harnesses," he said. "This is starting to be a new trend at aquatics centers. This definitely enhances our recreational swimming. We had a lot of people lap swimming, but this allows new opportunities for students who want to play in the water."

The Donald S. Spencer Recreation Center is open to students, as well as to WIU faculty and staff with memberships.

For more information about the Aquatics Center, such as facility hours, visit wiu.edu/student_services/campus_recreation/facilities/aquatics.php.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing