While the cold and snowy weather may have some people feeling the winter blues, that doesn’t have to be the case at Alfred State, where a brand-new tubing hill just opened.
Located on the Alfred campus behind the Orvis Activities Center and next to the baseball and softball practice fields, the tubing hill is now open Wednesdays and Fridays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. Students, faculty, and staff can enjoy the hill, and also bring one guest from the community with them who is at least 17 years old.
The college marked the opening of the new tubing hill in a small ceremony recently, which concluded with students sliding down the hill for the first time. Dr. Skip Sullivan, president of Alfred State, said he is excited about the new tubing hill opening, and noted that there are a lot of people to thank for bringing this idea to fruition.
“A number of our employees and students had a hand in the creation of our new tubing hill,” he said. “This new addition to our campus will be an excellent way for our college community to shake off the winter blues and have some fun.”
Specifically, credit goes to Building Trades Assistant Professor Mark Payne and his heavy equipment operations students, who helped transform the land into a tubing hill, and also to facilities workers, who installed the lights and lift, and helped with project management.
Furthermore, the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs also helped manage the project, and Student Senate purchased the equipment and is also responsible for funding the student workers who help operate the hill. Sean McCarthy, residence hall director, will be in charge of grooming and running the hill.
Those looking to go tubing on campus will need to present their Alfred State ID card during their visit to the hill. In the event of bad weather or lack of snow, a notification that the lift is closed will be posted in front of the Civic Engagement Office, located in room 204 of the Student Leadership Center.