1996
James Madison University opened its doors on October 4, 1996 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.

1998
UREC added the climbing wall to the atrium and the wet classroom to the pool area.

1999
UREC added a resource library and conference room to the facility to make room for more offices.

2000
- NIRSA named UREC an Outstanding Sports Facility.
- The Smoothie Bar opened.

2001
- UREC expanded Fitness II and opened the Express Desk to accommodate the growing number of participants.
- UREC converted Racquetball Court 5 into an Assessment Center.

2002
UREC opened the TEAM (Team Empowerment with Adventure for Madison) Course and added the Massage Studio.

2003
UREC introduced the vision plan for the University Park.

2004
UREC’s original astroturf was replaced with Field Turf.

2007
- UREC added (the former Harrisonburg High School) Memorial Fields to include softball, Veterans Memorial Stadium, football stadium, and tennis Courts.
- UREC received approval to move forward with the RFP, planning and construction for “University Park”.

2008
- James Madison University first offers the Campus Recreation Leadership Masters' Degree program.
- UREC opened 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.
- UREC closed the field space at Memorial to open the Upper Turf.

2009
- UREC transforms two Hillside Tennis Courts into a Hockey Rink.
- UREC renovated 5 racquetball courts in Godwin Hall to accomodate a Combatives Room and Multipurpose Studio for Sport Clubs and Group Fitness classes.
- 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.