University of Wisconsin–Madison
A panoramic photo of the lobby area at the Nicholas Recreation Center

Nicholas Recreation Center

797 W. Dayton Street | Madison, WI 53715 | (608) 262 – 8244

The Nicholas Recreation Center (Nick) is the first major building project of the Master Plan. The name of the facility honors the late Ab Nicholas, his wife Nancy, and the Nicholas family. It’s home to 30,000 square feet of fitness space, 8 courts, 5 studios, a 50-meter pool and diving well, and more.

View Daily Schedules
View Live Building Usage

Hours of Operation

View pool hours

 

See it for yourself

A fitness space with free weights lining the right-side wall, strength training benches and equipment distributed throughout the center and treadmills lining the left-side wall that has a street view.
Pool with short course lanes, diving well, and spectator seating.
A cardio fitness space that includes ellipticals, treadmills, stationary exercise bikes and rowing machines. Open spaces available for stretching, core work and other functional fitness training.
Basketball courts intended for multiple sports including basketball, volleyball, badminton, and futsal.
A strength and conditioning space with a turf field lining the floor. Mirrors line the walls along the right side and strength and functional equipment such as squat and bench racks, exercise balls and plyometric boxes line the center of the open space.
An open strength training space with a mirror on the back wall reflecting that the right and left side of this open space are symmetrically lined with multiple bench racks holding forty-five pound plates.
A three-lane indoor track on the right and a wall with LED lights inside of the word

View floor maps

 

Facility Features

Give to the Nicholas Recreation Center

Make your mark for generations of Badgers to come. The Nick has naming opportunities available. You can learn more here.

 

Getting There

Parking

  • Lot 94 (5 minute walk): controlled 7:00am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday, Free after 4:30pm & all day Saturday and Sunday. Timed parking stalls may be available.
  • Lot 46- Lake & Johnson Ramp (6 minute walk): located at 301 N. Lake Street. Controlled at all times. No visitor parking availability after 9:00pm, pay at gated exit.
  • Lot 83- Fluno Center Garage (7 minute walk): located at 314 N. Frances Street. Controlled at all times, limited visitor parking availability, pay at gated exit.
  • City of Madison State Street Campus Garage (8 minute walk): located at 430 N Frances Street, 415 N Lake Street. Open and Controlled 24/7, pay at gated exit.
  • Bike and moped stalls are available in front of the Nick.

For more information on campus parking, check out the parking website for maps, restricted parking times, and more.

Bus

    • Convenient bus lines include routes A, B, 80, 81, 82, and 84.