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- Most up-to-date equipment awaits Korea University students and faculty
- Be sure to make reservations and take note of the facilities that needs payment
More students are starting to use Hwajeong Stadium now that the new semester has begun. The reporter made a tour of Hwajeong Stadium, the largest and finest of its kind among universities.
△ Main Stadium
The main stadium, which is being used as a venue for various official occasions, is located at basement level one of Hwajeong Stadium. The 3,300m² main stadium has a 4,025-seat capacity. The auditorium connects directly from the first floor lobby entrance to the stadium. Surrounding the auditorium which also links to the second floor is a 250m long jogging track.
△ Fitness Center
The fitness center equipped with the most up-to-date facilities is located at basement level three. Students and faculty registered as paid members are able to use some 26 different types of aerobics sporting as well as weight lifting equipment here. In order to become a member, you need to apply at the school's homepage and pay a fee of 30 dollars for students and 50 dollars for faculty every month. There is a discount for longer term membership subscriptions.
The floor of the fitness center is constructed with an elastic rubber material to minimize movement impact of its users. The various sporting equipment is also most advanced. The front view of the main stadium at basement floor one level opens up to reveal a running machine equipped with an automatic pulse measurement function.
The student trainers on shift duty provide help to members by counseling how to exercise or use the facilities. Trainer Kim Jin-woo (Economics Dept. Class of '02) says, "I've always been a sports fan so I immediately applied when I read the announcement for Hwajeong Stadium." These students are working at the facility following prescribed training from professional trainers.
Following the stairs inside down to the 2nd floor above ground after exercising, you will find a shower room equipped with personal shower booths and Finnish sauna facilities. The changing room equipped with a front mirror and hair dryer is neat and tidy.
Personal accessories including clothing and footwear necessary for a work-out must be obtained elsewhere. Some 600 lockers to store personal belongings are located outside the shower room.
Seo Hae-ran (Mass Communications Dept. Class of '03), who has been using the fitness center since its opening commented, "its superb facilities make it an ideal work-out spot." She added, "I especially like the shower room above all things."
△ Rock Climbing Facility
The rock climbing facility situated on the first floor basement is equipped with a 9m tall climbing rock and protection mattress. However, the facility is not yet open to the public since Hwajeong Stadium has not yet been able to recruit a professional trainer. Facility Staffer Jeon Chang-hee commented, "We're still searching hard for a suitable trainer. We're ready to open our rock-climbing facility as soon as the recruiting is done."
△ Squash Court
Outside the main stadium you'll be able to find a five-compartment squash court. This place has superior lighting and the floor is made of beechwood. In order to use the squash court, first register as a paid member and reserve the desired time through the homepage. The membership fee and long term subscription benefits are equivalent to that of the fitness center. "It's very convenient as we're able to use the facility right away at our reserved time," says Lee Yoon-ho (Graduate School Economics Dept.), who uses Hwajeong Stadium every day to play squash.
A similar shower room to the one at the fitness center is located right next to the squash court. Personal lockers will be assigned but the users will need to bring their personal squash equipment for use.
△ Auxiliary Stadium
Whereas the main stadium will be used primarily for official purposes, the auxiliary stadium located at basement level three is freely available for use by students and faculty. Individuals and groups can make reservations through Internet on the school's homepage. The auxiliary stadium comes with various facilities, including basketball hoop, tennis court and a handball net for its users. It is also equipped with a shower and locker rooms. A student with the Physics Department basketball club (Leader = Lee Ho-yeongㆍClass of 05, Physics Dept.) who often uses the Auxiliary Stadium comments, "It has an easier application process compared to the other private facilities which makes it more convenient for its users. What's more it is free of charge to use. We're very pleased about it" but added, "it's a pity that we're able to reserve only up to an hour at a time."
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