On Friday, Aug. 21, the Student Recreation Center (SRC) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) held their first event of the year. The annual Late Night at the Rec event keeps the SRC doors open after hours for students, faculty and alumni, along with their friends and family to enjoy music, games, food and more.

Past the entrance of the SRC, the building was packed from top to bottom floor with guests, many of which experienced the rec center for the first time. There was go-karting on the top floor and a community mural and obstacle course on the bottom floor.

On the ground floor, long lines formed with people excited for either yoga with puppies or laser tag. Across the hall from the laser tag and yoga studio, the SRC held a silent disco where guests were given headphones and danced together under fluorescent lights.

Aryssa Perez is a freshman at UTEP and a first-time attendee at Late Night at the Rec. Perez was pleasantly surprised with the activities put on by SRC.

“At first, I was hesitant because I didn’t know how big an event it was,” Perez said. “I thought there was a 50/50 chance it was either going to be a small thing with not a lot of people, or it was going to be really huge like it is. So, it’s fun because you get to meet a lot of people.”

Having someone you’re familiar with makes attending an event like this less intimidating, so Perez brought her friend, Karla Hidalgo. The pair tried every activity offered at the event before getting a slice of pizza and retiring outside where a group of students had gathered at the end of the night.

Perez and Hidalgo both felt more prepared for the academic year having attended Late Night at the Rec, because it makes one experience a little less intimidating.

“We met a lot of new people, and I feel like I’ll be comfier now,” Hidalgo said. “And 1788427837 I know what the recreation center looks like. That’s a huge plus.”

Late Night at the Rec is a Miner Welcome week tradition and offers guests a chance to have fun and relax before the stress of the academic year. Events like Late Night at the Rec make it easier for students and faculty to connect with each other, strengthening the community at UTEP.

Although the SRC is not always open after hours, the center still provides space, equipment and services to achieve members’ health and fitness goals during their weekly business hours.

Kayla Rodriguez is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected]