1996
James Madison University opened its doors to a 140,700 square foot Recreation Center (UREC). All recreational programs are centralized in this multi-level complex to offer the JMU community a comprehensive menu of recreational and educational opportunities.

1997
UREC was named an Athletic Business Facilities of Merit Award winner.

2000
NIRSA named UREC an Outstanding Sports Facility.

2008
UREC opens the "Upper Turf." This 140,000 square foot outdoor recreational sports facility is located just above the tree line that is a backdrop for the existing turf field. The addition of this new turf will be a welcome addition to UREC outdoor facilities to help accommodate the growing number of intramural sports teams and sport club participants. This is the largest turf that the construction company has ever built, fitting 3 flag football fields, 2 softball fields or 2 soccer fields on one contiguous piece of field turf. There are two major sustainable aspects to the facility. This includes "Light Structure Green" lighting, which is energy-efficient and web-controlled. Also, the turf material is comprised of recycled rubber from the "Nike Grind" program, which recycles post-consumer athletic shoes and reuses the granulated rubber as building material.

2009
As part of JMU’s commitment to environmental stewardship, 10 of UREC's PreCors were equipped with a device to produce renewable energy in the form of electrical energy from your motion energy. Learn more.