Marquette Rowing is in a "unique situation."
During warm weather, the team practices in the Milwaukee river, and during the winter, they practice in the basement of the Academic Support Facility, said senior Dan Schwietz, the club's co-president.
Rowing, one of 25 club sports, is separated from the rest of the clubs in terms of communal practice space because they require special equipment and have a "set spot," Schwietz said.
Other indoor club sports are not so lucky. According to Schwietz, who has spoken with fellow indoor club sports representatives, "They often have a very difficult time getting the space they need."
It was recently announced that Norris Park, located between Kilbourn Avenue and State Street and 18th and 19th streets, will be renovated next spring, but that will only benefit outdoor club sports.As an organization leader, Schwietz said finding practice space can be a problem because the sports are self-run and -funded.
"It's a hassle that can be very easily removed if we got an available facility like (Norris Park)," said Schwietz, noting he is not sure of a long term solution for the space issue.
"I think for the time being, it's just finding the space that you can on campus," he said.
Indoor practice facilities for club sports include the Rec Center, the old Blockbuster area and Carmel Hall, according to Debbie Swanson, the director of recreational sports at the Rec Center.
The Rec Center provides space dedicated for the club sports Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to midnight, Swanson said.
"Obviously, they don't get all the space that they would like because we just have so many clubs we cannot give them everything they want," said Swanson, who does not direct the club sport program but oversees the Rec Center and Rec Plex.
"So it's a careful balancing act, trying to be able to give them space, especially at this time of the year," when the weather forces outdoor sports to practice inside, Swanson said.
Swanson said there have been no complaints.
College of Engineering senior Iain McPherson is the president of Marquette Tae Kwon Do.
In the past, the sport has had a number of practicing spaces, being moved around a lot, which McPherson said is the worst part.
Currently, the team of about 35 students practices in the old Blockbuster space and in the basement of Carmel Hall, McPherson said.
The concern is the uncertainty of practice space from semester to semester, he said.
"It's not a big concern, but it's always there. If the space at Blockbuster is developed right away, where are we going to practice?" said McPherson, who added that four or five clubs use the space.
This semester a space committee is looking at issues regarding student organizations and recreational sports, Swanson said.
"The university right now, with the space committee, is looking at our needs," said Swanson, calling the committee a good beginning step.
Toby Peters, associate vice president of Administration, said by the end of the semester, there will be a clear picture of the space problems that need to be addressed. Peters said a group has been gathered to review the situation but he could not give details.