NSCS Board restricts public access to the NPAC

CSC no longer charges the public to use the Nelson Physical Activity Center.
Based on a decision from the Nebraska State College System office, community members cannot purchase a membership, but they may still use the NPAC at restricted hours, according to Student Activity Director Cassie Mitchell. They will have to pay a $20 nominal fee for an ID card. The changes took effect the beginning of February.
The hours available to the public are: 6-8 a.m., noon-1 p.m., and 5-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; Friday will have those same hours except only 5-7 p.m.; 9-11 a.m. Saturday; and 5-7 p.m. Sunday.
Those who purchased an annual membership last year, or a monthly membership in December will receive a prorated refund. Those who purchased a membership starting Jan. 1, will get a full refund.
Mitchell said the NSCS Board gave CSC the option to restrict hours or deny access to the public completely.
“The NSCS recently went through an IRS audit,” NSCS Chancellor Stan Carpenter said. “Because of that audit, none of the colleges will charge the public a fee for use of gym facilities.”
Carpenter said it is now up to each college’s president to determine the public’s access.
“I’m taking a pretty relaxed approach with it to start,” Mitchell said.
She told NPAC staff to allow members who show up and are unaware of the change to still use the facility the first time.
Wayne State College Rec Center Director Assistant Chad Pitkin said WSC is also facing changes. They have stopped selling daily passes and new memberships.
“We’re still looking at what to do with our current members,” Pitkin said.
The access for students, faculty, and staff has not changed.