When & Where
The Nicholas Recreation Center (Nick) is the first major building project of the Master Plan and the second overall project after the Near West Fields. The name of the facility honors the late Albert “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.
We’re currently operating at 25% capacity on a first-come, first-served basis. Click the button below to check the current occupancy.
NICHOLAS RECREATION CENTER
797 W Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 262-8244
Hours of Operation
To protect the health and safety of our community, facility occupancy at the Nick will initially be limited to 25%. Reservations are not available. Please visit our COVID-19 Response page to learn more.
Information and hours for the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center can be found here.
SPRING HOURS
| January 25 – January 31 | |
| Monday – Friday | 6am – 8pm |
| Saturday – Sunday | 10am – 6pm |
| February 1 – May 9 | |
| Monday – Thursday | 6am – 10pm |
| Friday | 6am – 8pm |
| Saturday | 8am – 8pm |
| Sunday | 8am – 10pm |
ADJUSTED HOURS
| Commencement Weekend | |
| May 8 – 9 | CLOSED |
SUMMER HOURS
| May 10 – August 29 | |
| Monday – Thursday | 6am – 9pm |
| Friday | 6am – 8pm |
| Saturday – Sunday | 10am – 6pm |
ADJUSTED HOURS
| Maintenance & Cleaning Week | |
| May 8 – 14 | CLOSED |
| Memorial Day Weekend | |
| May 28 | 6am – 6:30pm |
| May 29 – May 31 | CLOSED |
| Independence Day | |
| July 2 | 6am – 6:30pm |
| July 3 – 5 | CLOSED |
Live Building Usage
Nick Level 1 Fitness
Nick Level 2 Fitness
Nick Power House
Nick Track
See it for yourself
Facility Features
| SERF | The Nick | |
| Usable square footage | 124,000 | 170,145 |
| Gross square footage | 192,170 | 240,560 |
| Fitness square footage | 8,500 | 30,400 |
| Full-size basketball courts | 4 | 8 |
| Fitness studios/multipurpose studios | 1 (4,600 sq. ft.) | 5 (12,575 sq. ft.) |
| Pool short course lanes (maximum) | 16 | 27 |
| Diving well | No | Yes |
| Pool spectator seating | None | 1,000 |
- 5 levels of activity space, all with abundant natural light
- 30,400 square feet dedicated to cardio and strength fitness spaces
- 8 full size basketball courts for multiple activities, including basketball, volleyball, badminton, futsal, and special events
- 5 multi-purpose studios to use for group fitness, indoor cycling, small group training programs, sport club practices, and student organizations
- Functional training sprint ramp leading up to a suspended threelane indoor track measuring one-sixth of a mile
- More than 300 day-use lockers throughout activity spaces with built-in locks to secure personal belongings and prevent theft
- Dedicated personal training suite for assessments and private consultations
- Multiple open areas throughout the facility to allow for stretching, core work, and functional training
- 2 racquetball courts
- Dedicated cycle room with theater-style audio, visual, and enhanced lighting
- 50-meter pool (convertible to two 25-yard pools) featuring 27 total possible short course lanes and 25-yard diving well
- Future home for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Swimming and Diving teams
- ADA accessible pool with operable pool floor allowing for zero-depth entry, shallow-water training, and competition lap swimming
- Private shower stalls in both men’s and women’s locker rooms
- All-gender and single-use bathrooms and showers
- Bathrooms on every level of the facility
- Fully ADA-accessible spaces, providing fitness opportunities for all users
- Multiple views within the facility of signature landmarks in Madison, including the State Capitol and Lake Mendota