Swinney Center - Kansas City Athletics

- Swinney Recreatiion Center South Annex, Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium and Recreational Field, Kansas City, MO 64110

swinney center

Introduction / Overview

The Swinney Center, home to Kansas City Athletics and the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Campus Recreation, stands as one of the premier and most extensive fitness and recreational facilities available to residents of the Missouri region, specifically in the heart of Kansas City. Far more than a traditional gym, the Swinney Center is a multi-faceted hub designed to support the holistic wellness and athletic pursuits of students, faculty, staff, and the wider community.

Rooted in a rich history—the original building, often referred to as “Old Swinney,” dates back to 1941—the facility has evolved through significant renovation and expansion. Today, the Swinney Center offers a vast array of high-quality equipment, diverse fitness programming, and specialized athletic spaces that rival dedicated commercial centers. Its dual role as both an athletic training ground for the Kansas City Roos (UMKC's Division I teams) and a comprehensive recreation center ensures that all members, regardless of their fitness level or goal, benefit from high-standard facilities.

For local Missouri users, the Swinney Center provides a unique value proposition: access to university-level amenities without the requirement of being a student. The center offers memberships to community residents aged 18 and older, allowing the greater Kansas City populace to utilize the same modern weight rooms, cardio areas, aquatic facilities, and multipurpose courts used by collegiate athletes. The facility is managed with a professional and welcoming approach, aiming to foster an active, engaged, and healthy community right here in the 64110 zip code.

Location and Accessibility

The Swinney Center is centrally located on the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Volker Campus, offering a convenient and accessible spot for individuals across the metro area.

The official address is: Swinney Recreation Center South Annex, Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium and Recreational Field, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.

This location places the center within the vibrant 64110 area, close to major Kansas City neighborhoods and transportation routes. Its proximity to UMKC ensures it is a well-known landmark, easily navigable for both long-time residents and new visitors to Missouri.

It is important for non-student community members to be aware of the parking situation, which is typical for a major university campus. There is generally no free parking at UMKC. Community members have the option of purchasing a dedicated parking permit with their membership, which allows convenient access to key campus structures like the Cherry Street Parking Structure, as well as specified metered areas. This integrated approach ensures that accessibility is maintained even within a busy university setting. Furthermore, the facility itself is designed with ease of use in mind, catering to the high volume of daily users, from students rushing to class to community members dedicated to their daily workout.

Services Offered

As a comprehensive campus recreation center, the Swinney Center provides an exceptionally wide array of services that extend far beyond the offerings of a standard commercial gym. These services are curated to meet virtually every fitness and recreational need of the Kansas City community:

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LI Extensive Fitness Center Access: Features updated cardio and weight equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, various stationary bikes, rowers, a comprehensive free-weight area (up to 100 lbs dumbbells), resistance machines, and specialized equipment like Hammer Strength gear.

LI Group Fitness & Wellness Programs: A wide range of structured classes are offered, potentially including popular programs like Bodypump, Yoga, and other specialized RooFit classes, often featuring top-notch instructors.

LI Aquatics Center: Access to a 6-lane, 25-yard competition swimming pool with retractable sliding doors for a multi-seasonal indoor/outdoor environment, available for lap swimming during specified hours.

LI Intramural Sports: Offers organized sports and activities for fun and competition among members, including options like basketball, volleyball, cricket, futsal, badminton, and pickleball.

LI Recreational Court Access: Includes five multipurpose courts for basketball and volleyball, three racquetball courts, and a squash court.

LI Personal Training & Fitness Consultation: Services for individualized fitness guidance and customized workout plans are typically available (details should be confirmed with Campus Recreation).

LI Equipment Check-Out: Sports equipment is readily available for check out at no additional cost from the Service Center, simplifying the process for playing open recreation or intramural sports.

Features / Highlights

The Swinney Center distinguishes itself from other Kansas City gyms through its specialized facilities, university affiliation, and convenience amenities:

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LI Dual Track System: Features both an indoor 1/8-mile track and a neighboring 1/4-mile outdoor track (located at Durwood Stadium), providing year-round running and walking options for Missouri's varying weather.

LI Sauna and Steam Rooms: Excellent amenities located within the Aquatics Center, providing relaxation and recovery options post-workout, a highly valued feature by many gym patrons.

LI Indoor and Outdoor Space: The unique retractable doors on the 25-yard pool allow it to function as both an indoor and outdoor facility, maximizing use during pleasant weather.

LI Daily Lock and Towel Service: Provides members with free daily lock and towel usage, significantly enhancing convenience and reducing the need to carry extra items.

LI Division I Athletic Facilities: Members train in a high-quality environment that also serves as the home venue for Kansas City Roos basketball and volleyball teams, including access to specialized areas like the Dutton Brookfield Strength and Conditioning Center.

LI Community Membership Option: Access is not restricted to UMKC affiliates; the public is welcomed with various membership and day pass options, making elite facilities available to the entire Kansas City community.

LI Multiple Fitness Studios: Features several multipurpose fitness studios to accommodate a wide variety of group exercise classes and club activities, including private or organizational reservations.

Contact Information

For specific membership inquiries, current hours of operation (which can vary seasonally or based on the academic calendar), and to verify pricing for community members, the most reliable source is the UMKC Campus Recreation office.

Address: Swinney Recreatiion Center South Annex, Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium and Recreational Field, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA

Phone: The general UMKC Campus Recreation contact number should be used for detailed inquiries, as specific direct lines may vary. Prospective members are advised to search for the most current UMKC Campus Recreation phone number to ensure immediate contact with the membership office.

What is Worth Choosing Swinney Center - Kansas City Athletics

For a Missouri resident looking for a gym in the Kansas City area, the Swinney Center represents an exceptional value proposition that is hard to match. What makes it particularly worth choosing is the sheer scale and quality of its resources. Unlike many local commercial gyms, the Swinney Center operates with the infrastructure of a large university, meaning the facility is perpetually updated and expansive, designed to serve thousands of users effectively.

The most compelling reason to choose Swinney is the comprehensive nature of the facility. Members don't just get access to a weight room; they gain access to a full aquatics center with a retractable roof, indoor and outdoor tracks, five basketball courts, racquetball/squash courts, and specialized training areas. This variety means that every member of a family or every style of fitness—from powerlifting to swimming to team sports—can be accommodated under one roof. The availability of sauna and steam rooms also adds a crucial recovery element that is often only found in high-tier commercial clubs.

Furthermore, the accessibility for community members, which includes monthly and annual membership options at competitive rates (e.g., a one-month community membership for approximately $45), opens up a Division I quality athletic experience to the general public. While the parking requires a small extra investment, the unparalleled array of amenities, including free daily towel and lock service, significantly outweighs this minor inconvenience. The Swinney Center is a smart choice for any Missouri resident in the Kansas City metro area who values variety, high-quality equipment, and the unique community atmosphere fostered by a major university recreation center. It’s an investment in a full spectrum of wellness, not just a place to lift weights.

Swinney Center - Kansas City Athletics

Swinney Recreatiion Center South Annex, Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium and Recreational Field, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA