The SIUC Recreation Center is encouraging alternatives to the new Carbondale bar entry age by increasing their hours, according to William McMinn, director of the office of intramural sports.

On previous Friday and Saturday evenings the Rec Center closed at 8 p.m. but beginning fall semester the hours have been extended to midnight.

McMinn said a committee has been created to look at special programs that will offer students the opportunity to a variety of things to do on the weekends.

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If enough people use the facilities, the hours will stay, McMinn said.

The Rec Center has never stayed opened later than 10 p.m., McMinn said.

We are doing the new hours on a trial basis.

The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) requested the hours to be extended at the beginning of the summer, McMinn said.

In a collaborative agreement with USG, Jean Paratore, myself and staff decided it was a good idea to trywith the understanding that if it is unsuccessful we won’t continue.

We are also challenging USG to enthuse student participation, McMinn said.

Mat Forest, senior administrative student supervisor for the Rec Center, said he thinks the hours are too long.

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I have worked until 10 p.m. before, and it may be really slow, Forest said.

You could be here and no one would be using the facility.

Shon Cole, a junior in health education from Chicago, said the extended hours are a good form of alternative entertainment for students since the bar entry age has changed.

It will be good for those of us who like to hoop and exercise, Cole said.

It makes me feel good to see the school taking initiative to try and give students something fun to do outside of the dorms.

The hours will not affect the previous scheduled events such as intramural sports or aerobics. The center will continue to provide special study hours during finals week and the increased hours will create more student work positions, McMinn said.