Recreation and Wellness Center to Open Up Memberships for Eligible Employees Beginning Nov. 1

October 16, 2025


An exterior entrance of Pitt's Wellness and Recreation CenterEligible University employees* will be able to purchase monthly membership access to Pitt’s newly opened state-of-the-art Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC) beginning on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

The membership fee has been structured into two tiers to make it affordable for employees, while remaining competitive with private fitness and recreation facilities.

  • Employees earning less than $50,000 annually (or the hourly equivalent) will pay $35 for a monthly membership.
  • Employees earning $50,000 or more annually (or the hourly equivalent) will pay $45 for a monthly membership.

Membership fees will support the long-term sustainability of the RWC and ensure consistent, high-quality service and maintenance.

How to join:

Starting Nov. 1, eligible University employees will be able to stop at the RWC Member Services Desk at the Level 5 Entry and will have the opportunity to receive a tour of the facility prior to purchase. The initial purchase will need to take place in person with opportunities to renew online. Credit card payments or payroll deduction will be accepted. Neither cash nor checks will be accepted as payment. Note: if you are signing up mid-month you will need to pay the pro-rated first month with a credit card until payroll deduction can begin the following month. Anyone who is not a 12-month employee will be required to pay by credit card.  

Membership details:

The monthly membership fee for employees will allow them full access to all fitness and recreational facilities at the RWC during regular operating hours, including:

  • weights in the new Pitt Recreation and Wellness CenterFive floors of fitness equipment
    • State-of-the-art strength, cardio, and functional training equipment
  • Pool and Spa
    • 6 Lap Lanes with Open Swim Area
  • Six Sport Courts
    • Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Pickleball & Futsal Capabilities
  • Three Lane Track
  • Fitness app to track wellness progress
  • Equipment checkout for sport courts

The monthly membership fee will not include access to:

  • Instructor-led programs: group fitness, intramurals and outdoor pursuits
  • Outdoor Rental Center
  • Dedicated faculty/staff amenities or hours (Faculty/staff will utilize the same spaces and hours alongside students)
  • Climbing wall (Future membership add-on options to come)
  • E-Recreation (Future membership add-on options to come)
  • Broader health and wellness services such as counseling services, financial wellness, student health services and the Stress Free Zone will not be available to faculty and staff

The opening of the Recreation and Wellness Center adds a new alternative to the existing on-campus facilities. The University Club offers a pay-for-access fitness membership for eligible University employees including access to personalized fitness programming and group fitness classes. Visit the University Club’s website for more information about Wellness 360 membership and fitness offerings. In addition, Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics (PEAQ) is a year-round swimming program at Trees Pool, running Monday through Friday (M-W-F, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; T-Th, 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.). The structured program is accommodating to a wide range of swimmers, regardless of skill or experience level. Normally $55 per month, faculty and staff can join the program for a discounted rate of $45. For more information on PEAQ and registration, please email teampittmasters@gmail.com.

Please visit the below links to learn more about the new Recreation and Wellness Center, located at 3921 O'Hara Street across from Benedum Hall:

Employees with questions about access to campus fitness and recreation facilities should submit an online inquiry. Questions about membership can be directed to: recmemberships@pitt.edu 

* Eligible employees are defined as full- and part-time Regular (non-represented) Staff, Executive, Union-Eligible (traditional labor union), and Research Associates, as well as full- and part-time Regular and Temporary Faculty, Emeritus Faculty, and Postdoctoral Associates and Postdoctoral Scholars. All-Temps workers are not considered regular employees and are not eligible for membership.

The University is required to negotiate with the United Steelworkers concerning membership to the RWC for represented Staff employees. For that reason, represented staff will become eligible to purchase a RWC membership once the University and the USW have bargained and reached an agreement.