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Partnering with Rent.fun, an app-based rental operator, Wright State University-Lake Campus officials set up a self-service kayak rental station at the campus beach. The station contains 10 kayaks and two paddle boards, as well as paddles and life jackets.
CELINA - Wright State University-Lake Campus is making it easier than ever to explore Grand Lake.
In an effort to further engage students, staff and the public alike, college officials have installed a self-service kayak rental station near the campus beach, one of numerous recent upgrades.
"The first couple of weeks of campus, we've got our students out on them, especially our residential students. They've been heavy users of it," Samantha Johnson, director of campus engagement and events, told The Daily Standard. "We've only had them out here for about a month, but we're hopefully going to squeeze in some time before all of the warm weather is done, and next summer really get out there on the kayaks."
Partnering with Rent.fun, an app-based rental operator, campus officials set up the rental station at the campus beach. The station contains 10 kayaks and two paddle boards, as well as paddles and life jackets.
"It's out past Trenary Hall where our amphitheater is and our campus beach, where we also have docks," Johnson pointed out.
Rentals are available daily from sunup to sundown and cost $25 for up to two hours or $40 for up to hours, according to Johnson. Annual memberships are also available for purchase.
Visitors can rent equipment by downloading the Rent.fun app, creating an account and scanning the QR code at the station.
"What's really great is on that rental station, there is a whole information sheet that walks you through step by step on how to do that process," Johnson said.
Renters must wear the provided life jackets while on the water and follow all safety guidelines outlined in the Rent.fun app.
The station, Johnson pointed out, is maintained by Rent.fun.
"Why we decided to partner with them was due to the (ease) of renting. They already had this system in place," she said. "So instead of us starting from the ground up, we figured it would be best to work with them, knowing that they are very familiar with the process."
Officials encourage the public to take advantage of the self-service kayak rental station.
"We like to call our campus a community hub," Johnson said. "We are a resource for Mercer County and surrounding communities. We wanted to make sure the public was aware of this as well, that they're more than welcome to come out and use the kayaks, use our campus beach, walk around campus. We've got walking trails. The public and the community is always welcome out here."
Western Ohio Educational Foundation, a key philanthropic partner of Lake Campus, went directly to students to learn what kinds of additional amenities they would like to see on campus.
"They had put out a survey on different campus enhancements, probably last academic year, and that (kayak rental station) was one of the options and that was sent to all of our students and that ranked among some of the highest options," Johnson said. "We saw that some local parks had the option as well."
The kayak rental station is part of several recent recreation and student engagement improvements at the Lake Campus, Johnson said.
New pickleball courts, which are also open to the public, have been added south of the Grand Lake Health/Premier Health North YMCA.
New pickleball courts, which are also open to the public, have been added south of the Grand Lake Health/Premier Health North YMCA.
"Our students love to play pickleball. Especially in the evening, you'll see them out there playing," Johnson said. "Those were put in last spring semester. So that was definitely a really fun spring activity once we started to get some warm weather again at the end of the academic year."
Community members can also visit C-Town Wings in the Boathouse Café, which is open to the public Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters.
Community members can also visit C-Town Wings in the Boathouse Café, which is open to the public Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters.
"We are so excited to have C-Town Wings as our food vendor here," Johnson said. "I believe this is going on our second year now that they've been our food vendor."
Inside Dwyer Hall, the former campus bookstore has been transformed into the Laker Lounge, a student-focused space featuring arcade games, comfortable seating and space for student organizations to meet and host activities.
"It has just brought so much energy to campus. We have one space that has kind of been dedicated more for student orgs or student events, and our student orgs have been utilizing it heavily," Johnson said. "Now since they have this dedicated space, they know where to go, students are familiar with it and it's in a high traffic area, which really helps."
Inside Dwyer Hall, the former campus bookstore has been transformed into the Laker Lounge, a student-focused space featuring arcade games, comfortable seating and space for student organizations to meet and host activities.
