Northwestern University Recreation

Northwestern students enrolled in one or more units of credit in a degree-seeking program are eligible for a complimentary membership to the recreation center. Membership is automatic upon enrollment, and students can access the facility using their valid Wildcard.

Costs for other groups is dependent upon their affiliation with the University, as rates vary. 

Employee Membership: Includes Northwestern faculty and staff, adjunct faculty, emeriti/retirees, visiting scholars, Garrett Theological Seminary Faculty and Staff

Community Membership: Includes alumni, University affiliates, including contract employees of Northwestern, and community members with no affiliation to the University

A valid Wildcard (provided by the Wildcard Office) or membership card (provided by our Membership Office) is required to access our recreation facilities.

Affiliates without a membership or active student status may purchase a Day Pass to access our facilities. However, Day Pass access is not available at Blomquist Recreation Center, which is limited to active students and members only.

Our facilities operate on different schedules, with varying opening and closing times throughout the day. Please review the individual schedules linked on our Facility Schedules page, as operations differ by area.

Membership is not required to access the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion or the Norris Aquatics Center. Non-members may purchase a Day Pass at the front desk of the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion.

*Blomquist Recreation Center requires an active membership for access.*

Memberships can be purchased in the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion Membership Office, located at 2311 Campus Drive Evanston, IL 60208, during office hours.

Membership includes access to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, Norris Aquatics Center, Blomquist Recreation Center, all Group Exercise classes, and discounts for Northwestern Recreation services and classes.

Personal training is available to members for an additional cost. Our nationally certified trainers are ready to work with you to design a program tailored to your needs, goals, and interests. Contact Mary Liz Jayne-Ballard (maryliz.jayne@northwestern.edu) for more information.

Our recreation facilities are located on the Evanston campus:

The Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (2311 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208), which includes the Norris Aquatics Center and Combe Tennis Center, is located on the northern end of campus.

Blomquist Recreation Center (617 Foster Street, Evanston, IL 60208) is near the corner of Sheridan and Foster.

Permits/access cards are required to park from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. No permits are required for weekend parking.

Community Members: Community members have the option to opt into the Debit Recharge Program through Northwestern University Parking Services. This allows for members to enter and exit the North Parking Garage utilizing a preloaded parking card. Daily parking fees will be assessed Monday – Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the following rates. Please note these rates are for Henry Crown members ONLY:

• $3 for 2 hours
• $9 for 2+ hours

Faculty & Staff Members: All current Northwestern annual and academic year permit holders may enter and exit the garage by swiping their Wildcard.

Non-Members: Visitor parking is available in the garage for a $9.00 daily fee.

For more details, visit our Parking Information page. If you have any questions or comments about parking, please contact Northwestern University Parking Services at parking@northwestern.edu or call 847-491-3319.

Per our building use policies, children under the age of 16 may use the recreation center but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

You may cancel your membership at any time for any reason.

Annual members must complete our Annual Membership Cancellation/Request for Refund Form and submit it to our Membership Office (recreation@northwestern.edu).

Monthly members need to complete our Monthly Billing – Stop Payment Form by the 15th day of the month to avoid being billed for the upcoming month.

Contact Mary Liz Jayne-Ballard (maryliz.jayne@northwestern.edu / 847-467-6025) for refund information.

Complete the Aquatics Cancellation/Request for Refund Form and submit it to our Membership Office (recreation@northwestern.edu). Contact our aquatics team (aquatics@northwestern.edu) if you have any questions.

Contact Tadhg Martin (t-martin@northwestern.edu / 847-491-4142) for refund information.

Contact our camp staff (wildcatcamp@northwestern.edu / 847-491-7314) for refund information.