You're standing outside the massive glass windows of the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC), gym bag in hand, only to realize you forgot if the pool closes at 7 or 8 tonight. Or maybe you're a community member trying to figure out if those "SilverSneakers" benefits actually cover the track. You pull out your phone, type in a search, and get hit with a dozen different extensions. It's frustrating.
Honestly, finding the right kent state rec center phone number shouldn't feel like a scavenger hunt across the Portage County map. While the internet loves to give you one generic 800-number, the reality is that the "Rec" is a beast of a facility with specific desks for specific needs.
If you just need the main line to talk to a human at the front desk, here it is: 330-672-4732.
That is the "Golden Ticket" number. It hits the main Welcome Desk at the SRWC on Ted Boyd Drive. But, and this is a big "but," that phone is going to be ringing off the hook during peak hours (usually 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM when every student on campus decides to hit the bench press at once).
The Cheat Sheet for Reaching the Right Person
Look, the main desk is great for "Are you open?" but if you have a niche question, you're better off bypassing the student workers at the front. It saves you the "Hold on, let me ask my supervisor" dance.
- Member Services Desk: 330-672-0482. This is where you go if your keycard isn't working, or you need to argue about a billing charge.
- Kent State Ice Arena: 330-672-7465. Don't call the main Rec for skate times. They are in a completely different building on Loop Road.
- Tri-Rec Fitness: 330-672-0486. This is that smaller, 7,000-square-foot spot in the Tri-Towers Rotunda. If you live in Wright Hall and want to know if a specific treadmill is fixed, call them directly.
- The Well Hub: 330-672-5769. This is the spot for the "RelaxSpace" pods and wellness consultations.
Basically, if you’re looking for a specific person, like Elizabeth Michel (the Assistant Director for Fitness), you’re looking at 330-672-0475. For Matt Jones over at the Well-being office, it's 330-672-1447.
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Why the Phone Number Matters More Than the Website
You'd think in 2026 we’d all just use an app. Kent State has the "KSU Rec-Well" app, and it's decent for scanning your barcode. But it’s notorious for lagging on real-time pool lane closures or sudden maintenance issues.
Last winter, a pipe issue shut down the sauna. The website said "Open." The app said "Open." I drove twenty minutes through a Kent slush-storm only to see a hand-written sign on the door. A thirty-second call to the kent state rec center phone number would have saved me the gas.
Facilities and What You’re Actually Calling For
The SRWC is huge. We're talking about a facility that includes a lap pool, a leisure pool (with that vortex that everyone loves until they get stuck in it), a massive climbing wall, and enough cardio equipment to power a small city.
Most people call because they want to know about Group X classes.
Those are the instructor-led sessions like "Glow Spin" or "Rhythmic Pilates." If you aren't a full-time student, these usually cost extra (about $8 for a single class pass).
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Parking: The Great Kent Headache
If you call the Rec Center to complain about a parking ticket, they will politely (or maybe not-so-politely) tell you they can't help.
Recreation and Wellness Services has zero authority over parking tickets. If you got a yellow slip under your wiper in the SRWC lot, you have to call Parking Services at 330-672-4432.
Pro tip: Use the Passport Parking App for Zone 33014. It’s way better than fumbling with the kiosk when it’s 10 degrees out.
Membership Nuances You Should Know
The Rec isn't just for students. It’s open to the community, but the pricing is... let's call it "varied."
- Students: If you're taking 5+ credit hours on the Kent campus, your membership is basically "free" (included in your fees).
- Faculty/Staff: They pay about $55 a month, or $252 for the whole year.
- Community: It’s roughly the same as faculty, but they often have "Joiner Fee" specials.
- SilverSneakers/Renew Active: These are huge. If you have the right insurance, your membership might be 100% covered.
If you are a community member, call the 330-672-0482 number (Member Services) rather than the main line. The student workers at the main desk are great, but the Member Services staff are the ones who actually know how to process insurance paperwork.
Don't Get Confused with the City of Kent Rec
This happens all the time.
There is a "Kent Recreation Center" at 1115 Franklin Ave. That is run by the City of Kent, not the University.
Their number is 330-678-3277.
If you’re looking for youth basketball leagues or the "Kramer Field" concessions, you’re calling the city, not the Blue and Gold.
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Making Your Visit Productive
Before you dial the kent state rec center phone number, have your FlashLine ID ready if you're a student. It makes everything go five times faster.
If you're calling about a lost item, they have a "Lost and Found" at the main security/welcome desk. They won't usually tell you over the phone if they found your specific "black Nike water bottle" (because there are currently forty of them in the bin), but they can tell you if a high-value item like a phone or wallet was turned in.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Workout
- Check the Pool Schedule: The lap pool and leisure pool have wildly different hours. Call ahead if you're planning on swimming laps.
- Download the Passport App: Don't risk the $25 ticket. Set up Zone 33014 before you even leave your house.
- Call after 8:00 AM: The center opens as early as 5:30 AM some days, but the full-time administrative staff (the people who can actually fix account issues) usually don't roll in until 8:00 or 9:00 AM.
- Verify Guest Passes: If you’re bringing a friend, they need a government-issued ID and about $10-$15 for a day pass.
The SRWC is easily one of the best perks of being in Kent, Ohio. Whether you're hitting the "Combative Studio" or just walking the indoor track to escape the winter, having the right contact info is the first step to not wasting your afternoon.
Keep that main number 330-672-4732 in your contacts. It saves a lot of headaches.