The Virgil Henson Activities Center (VHAC) welcomes a limited number of memberships, fees are subject to change. As a student facility, students retain priority use of the facility. In most situations, this will not affect member use. Membership cards are required at all times in the VHAC and are non-transferable. Eligible family members will each be given a card. Use of other family member's cards is not permitted. Children under 16 years of age must be directly supervised by an appropriate guardian (18 years or older) at all times while in the facility. Maximum age for youth on family memberships is 21 years of age.
Memberships in the VHAC are available for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. For more information regarding memberships, contact the information desk of the VHAC at 806-651-2323.
The VHAC provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The 270,000 square feet facility houses a 110,000 gallon recreational pool, a weight room, an 8-lane bowling center, 8 racquetball courts (including a wallyball court) and a 38,000 square feet all-purpose gymnasium.
The general public is welcome to use the Virgil Henson Activities Center by purchasing a Community Weekend Pass or a Community Membership at the VHAC Member Services Desk. ALL adult guests (16 years or older) MUST have a government issued picture ID in order to use the recreational facilities. ALL guests are required to sign in at the time of purchase at the VHAC Member Services Desk. Weekend passes can be used from Friday at 6 p.m. until Sunday at 8 p.m. for one month and are non-transferable. All guests are subject to the same VHAC policies as our members. Please refer to our Policies and Procedures section in full details.
Priority use of the VHAC goes to the WTAMU students and recreational sports programming. Some academic classes are also in this facility. Limited rental opportunities are available. For more information on availability and costs, contact the VHAC information desk at 806-651-2323.
Policies
Workout Attire
Children
Participation Agreement
All-Purpose Room Policies
Bowling Lanes Policies
Racquetball Courts Policies
Recreational Pool Policies
Weight Room Policies
Workout attire is considered as T-shirt, shorts, sweats and athletic shoes. Jeans, fatigues or any other long pants to be considered unsafe or damaging to person/s or facility may be unacceptable. Any style of non-marking athletic shoe is acceptable. No cleats, spikes, turf, hiking or sandals.
The VHAC provides opportunities for parents/guardians and children to participate in recreational activities together and to encourage sport and fitness development. Due to the volume of participation at the VHAC, the extensive equipment located in the facility, and the natural curiosity of children, this policy has been developed to enhance safety of our youth members and guests. Children under 16 years of age must be directly supervised by an appropriate guardian (18 years or older) at all times while in the facility. Youth members and guests who have purchased a guest pass, 16 years of age and older may use the facility without an adult. A drivers license will be used to verify age. If a 16 year old does not have a drivers license, they must be accompanied by an appropriate guardian (18 years or older).
Child spectators at intramurals, special events and during rentals must have a non-playing adult (18 years or older) directly supervising the child during the event. Directly supervising is defined as the guardian and child can verbally and visually communicate at all times.
Camp counselors must supervise all campers under 16 years of age attending summer camp and using the VHAC.
All physical activities offered by Recreational Sports and the VHAC carry various degrees of risk or injury. Participants assume sole responsibility for any and all such risk or injury that may result due to voluntary participation. It is each individual's responsibility to be knowledgeable of his/her own physical condition to participate in any of the activities.
- Workout attire required.
- Play of baseball, softball, soccer, or football is prohibited.
- Dunking or grabbing of the rim will result in an automatic ejection and suspension from the facility.
- Private radios or tape players are only allowed when earphones are used. Loud jam box music is prohibited.
- Volleyball equipment may be erected if space is available. Ask the all-purpose room attendant or contact the front desk for this equipment.
- Bowling shoes must be worn by everyone on the approach, with the exception of small children if we do not have their shoe size.
- Lofting of balls is strictly prohibited.
- Bowlers are not allowed to go beyond the foul lines on the lanes.
- Only one person is allowed on the approach at a time.
- The bowling balls should be returned to the racks after bowling.
- Make sure the sweep has returned to the proper position before beginning your approach.
- Personal equipment should be used at your own risk.
- Workout attire is required.
- Each person must register at the bowling lane counter.
- No more than four people are allowed in a racquetball court at a time.
- For safety, the VHAC recommends and encourages the use of protective eyewear while playing racquetball and handball.
- All those playing racquetball should be made aware that racquetball is a serious sport with potential for injury. Everyone should use caution and play sensibly.
- The racquetball courts are limited to the use of racquetball, handball, and wallyball only.
- All users of the swimming pool are required to check-in at the pool office with a valid Buffalo Gold Card or guest pass.
- Cut-offs or swim suits with any kind of buttons are prohibited in the pool. All persons using the pool must have on proper swimming attire.
- Cover-ups are limited to white t-shirts only.
- Showers are required before entering the pool.
- Individuals with any type of bandage or tape on their body are prohibited from entering the pool.
- Smoking will not be permitted in the VHAC or in the pool area.
- Rough play, shoving or general horseplay in the pool or on the deck is prohibited.
- No running or tag games in the pool or on the deck.
- No food, drinks or gum are allowed in the pool except for bottled water.
- Breakable objects are not permitted in the pool area.
- Profane language or any type of behavior annoying to other swimmers is prohibited.
- There will be no visiting or unnecessary talking to lifeguards on duty.
- Teaching, maintenance and safety equipment are off limits! Only instructors, maintenance personnel and lifeguards are to handle this equipment.
- Lifeguards are not allowed to keep items for a person using the pool area.
- Scuba diving is prohibited during regular pool hours.
- Parents should not allow small children to run free on the deck or be alone in the pool area.
- No dives or flips off the edge of the pool. This applies to the entire pool area.
- Water guns, rafts or large flotation devices are not allowed. Any child wearing a flotation device should be within an arms distance from a supervising adult.
- Children still in diapers MUST wear swim diapers.
- The VHAC recommends that children or anyone that may not be a strong swimmers report this to the lifeguards. Children should always have a parent or guardian's supervision.
- Anyone using the slide must be 42 inches tall.
- At the first sign of lightning the pool patio will close and then re-open approximately 30 minutes after the lightning has passed.
- Workout attire required. All weight room users must wear shoes and shirts.
- To use the weight room, a person must be at least 16 years of age.
- Weight room equipment must remain in specified areas.
- Return weights to the racks after each use. Weights should not be left on the bars.
- Safety supports and collars should be used when lifting.
- Weights are not to be dropped or slammed.
- Use the wipes provided to clean off cardio equipment after workout is complete.
- Each patron is only allowed one towel. These are to remain in the weight room at all times.
- No spitting on the floor.
- Tobacco is not to be smoked, chewed or dipped in the weight room. Water is the only drink allowed past the front desk.
- Weight room users should be courteous to other users of the weight room.
- Private radios or tape players are only allowed if earphones are used. No loud jam box music will be permitted.