Helen Newman Hall
Helen Newman Hall was built in 1963 to house Women’s Physical Education. It has since transformed into one of the primary Recreation Centers on Campus for the entire Cornell Community. Helen Newman Hall features a Pool, two-full sized Courts for Basketball/Volleyball/Badminton, a classroom and a dance studio where many Group Fitness classes, Physical Education classes, and club practices are held, a 16-lane Bowling Center and a Fitness Center. Helen Newman is also the home to the majority of the Recreational Services Administration Offices.
Some recreational opportunities require a membership.
Building Hours
| Regular Semester Hours (through 5/4/25) | Weekdays | Weekends |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Newman Hall | 6am - 11pm | 10am - 11pm |
| 5/5/25 - 5/11/25 | Monday - Thursday | Friday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Newman Hall | 6am - 11pm | 6am - 10pm | 10am - 10pm |
| 5/12/25 - 5/18/25 | Weekdays | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Newman Hall | 6am - 10pm | 10am - 8pm |
| 5/19/25 - 5/25/25 | Weekdays | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Newman Hall | 6am - 8pm | Closed |
Informal Recreation Court Hours
Informal Recreation refers to the open availability of Basketball, Badminton, or Volleyball in the Helen Newman Courts to the Cornell Community. Please review the priority schedules below as the Courts can be reserved for Physical Education courses, Group Fitness classes, and Intramural Sports. Participants cannot reserve the Courts and must follow all Informal Recreation policies.
| Regular Semester Priority Schedule | Court 1 Priority: Basketball/Volleyball | Court 2 Priority: Badminton/Volleyball |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | Basketball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) | Volleyball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) |
| Tue | Basketball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) | Badminton: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) |
| Wed | Basketball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) | Volleyball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) |
| Thu | Basketball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) | Badminton: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) |
| Fri | Basketball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) | If odd day of the month, Badminton: Open - 30 mins before building closes If even day of the month, Volleyball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) |
| Sat | Basketball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) | Badminton: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) |
| Sun | Basketball: Open - 3:00pm* Volleyball: 3:00pm - 5:00pm (*only if Court 2 is closed when in use by Intramural Sports) Basketball: 5:00pm* - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) | Volleyball: Open - 30 mins before building closes Closed when in use by PE (see schedule below) Closed when in use by Intramural Sports (see schedule below) |
Courts unavailable when in use by PE & Intramural Sports:
(No closures are planned when the University is in an Academic Break period such as February Break and Spring Break. Gymnasium hours and priority schedule may be affected due to reduced hours, though.)
| Spring 25 Planned Court Closures | Court 1 | Court 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | PE: 9:00am - 5:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) | PE: 9:00am - 5:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) |
| Tues | PE: 8:30am - 12:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) PE: 1:00pm - 3:30pm | PE: 8:30am - 12:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) PE: 1:00pm - 3:30pm |
| Wed | PE: 9:00am - 10:00am (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) PE: 10:00am - 1:15pm PE: 1:15pm - 5:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) | PE: 9:00am - 10:00am (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) PE: 10:00am - 1:15pm PE: 1:15pm - 5:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) |
| Thu | PE: 8:30am - 12:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) PE: 1:00pm - 3:30pm | PE: 8:30am - 12:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) PE: 1:00pm - 3:30pm |
| Fri | PE: 9:00am - 5:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) | PE: 9:00am - 5:00pm (as needed by PE Tennis courses due to poor weather conditions outside starting March 12th) |
| Sat | No planned closures | No planned closures |
| Sun | No planned closures | PE: 10:00am - 12:00pm Intramurals: 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Feb 2 - May 4 |
Helen Newman Equipment Issue Room
The Helen Newman Issue Room is located directly in front of the entrance to the building from the ground floor. An Issue Room employee is always present in the building during operating hours. If they're not available at the Issue Room during your arrival, please wait for their return. At the Issue Room, you can request general information or checkout equipment to use until the end of the day. Some affiliation or time restrictions may apply. Equipment Checkout & Rentals
Address/Location
Ithaca, NY, 14850