Campus Recreation
Aquatics Center (Lap Swim Only due to Covid -19 Restrictions)

The Aquatics Center is a fully accessible facility staffed with friendly, professional lifeguards who ensure a safe and positive aquatic environment. We are open in the early morning, at noon, and in the late afternoon/early evening for your convenience. The facility includes a 25-yard pool, an 8-person hot tub, a sauna, and adjacent locker rooms. Informal recreation activities such as water basketball, open swimming, aqua classes, and lap swimming are offered. The Aquatics Center provides a variety of water fitness equipment and is ADA compliant.
Aquatics Center Hours
Dress Code
- Swim trunks or swimsuits are required for swimming.
- Non-swimming attire is allowable only in the sauna.
- No sweatshirts, sweatpants or hats.
- Leggings must be rolled up to calf length.
Party at the Pool (Suspended due to Covid-19 Restrictions)
Planning something special? Host your event in the Aquatics Center at the Rec Center! Call Nick Knowles, 309-298-2641, for details and to book your party!

Features
Pool
- 25 yards long
- 6 lanes wide
- ADA lift accessible
- Average temperature: 80-82° F
- 4 feet to 12 feet deep
AquaClimb - Poolside Climbing Wall

- Climb heights almost 16 feet above the water
- Plunge into the deep end of the pool
Sauna (currently offline)

- Open when the Aquatics Center is open
- Add small amounts of water to reach your desired temperature
- Maximum capacity: 16 people
- Long sleeves or pants are not allowed
Hot Tub (offline due to Covid-19 guidelines)

- Relax or rehab in our hot yub
- ADA lift accessible
- Maximum capacity: 8 people
- Average temperature: 103° F
Programs
Family Swim ( Suspended due to Covid-19 guidelines)
Fall & Spring Semesters: Sunday, 1:00PM-3:00PM
Summer Term: Sunday, 11:00AM-1:00PM
- Students and University employees are invited to bring their immediate families and must be present during Family Swim
- Spencer Student Recreation Center membership is not required; however, a signed waiver with the WIU affiliate and their valid WIU ID is needed
- Children must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian at all times and also must remain one arm's distance from their child in the water at all times
- Immediate family members under the age of 18 must have their parent or legal guardian sign a Family Swim Waiver - no exceptions
- No one under the age of 16 is allowed to use the whirlpool or sauna - no exceptions
- Schedule does not reflect breaks, holidays, or finals week (see wiu.edu/campusrec for current center hours)
Lap/Open Swim Hours
- Morning Hours
- 6:00AM-9:00AM |
- 9:00AM-11:00AM |
- Lunch Hours
- 11:00AM-1:00PM |
- Evening Hours
- 3:00PM-9:00PM |
- 4:00PM-5:00PM |
- 1:00PM-5:00PM
- 3:00PM-7:00PM |
Adult Swim Lessons
American Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor - Learning the Basics or Improving Skills and Swimming Strokes
Group Swim Lessons / (Suspended due to Covid-19 guidelines)
Each class is limited to 10 participants and lasts six weeks.
- Lessons
- Every Sunday, March 29-April 31
- Class begins at 7:00 PM
- Cost
- Student: $30
- Member: $30
- Registration & Payment
- Registration accepted in the Campus Recreation office
- Payment is due upon registration to secure a spot in class
Private Swim Lessons (temporarily suspended due to Covid-19)
Course will consist of eight 45-minute lessons.
- Prices
- Student - $100
- Member - $110
- Non-Member - $125
- Fill out the Swim Lesson Registration Form and return it to the Campus Recreation office or call Nick Knowles, Assistant Director of Facilities, Aquatics, and Sport Clubs at (309) 298-1228, ext. 230
Space is limited, priority will be given to the following:
- WIU students
- WIU faculty and staff
- Retired WIU faculty staff or spouses
Private Lessons Grant
Private Rentals
- Pool rentals available throughout the semester, pending approval
- Fees associated with the rental of the Aquatics Center and lifeguards
- Requests for the Aquatics Center may be made by filling out a Campus Recreation Facility Request Form at least 72 hours prior to the requested time
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