Recreational Facilities

Red Barn Gym 

The Red Barn Gym is called that for a reason — it was once a working barn where students in the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women, the predecessor to Temple University Ambler, raised prized Jersey cows! 

Today, the Red Barn Gym houses many of Temple Ambler’s indoor recreational facilities, including the gymnasium, fitness room and locker areas.

In addition to these facilities, the Ambler Campus has three outdoor tennis courts, four outdoor basketball courts, a sand volleyball court and a multipurpose grass playing field. All Ambler Campus facilities and programs are open to every Temple student. 

Hours of Operation for the Fitness Room, Gym and Outdoor Courts*

Regular Semester Hours

Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Saturday through Sunday: Closed

Facility hours for the fitness room may be subject to change due to scheduled classes, activities or events. Please check the door leading into these facilities. 

Call 267-468-8151 or email tua_row@temple.edu for additional information about recreational facilities at Temple Ambler.

Temple University Ambler Outdoor Swimming Pool

The outdoor pool at Temple Ambler is available for seasonal use by students, faculty and staff. Please note: Inclement weather may affect pool hours. Call 267-468-8153 or 267-468-8151 to check pool availability.

Outdoor Pool Hours

Monday through Thursday: 12 to 2 p.m. 
Friday through Sunday: Closed

Membership 

Access to the facilities and programs offered by Ambler Recreation Services may be acquired by paying the Campus Rec access fee. Fees were established by the Student Recreation Board to support our student recreational facilities throughout the University. The Rec access fee is determined by the person’s status as a student, employee or alumnus of Temple University. 

Students 

All matriculated Temple University students enrolled are automatically assessed a portion of the Campus Rec access fee in their tuition bill as a part of the University Services Fee. Enrolled students who have paid the Campus Rec access fee are assigned swipe access through their Temple OWLcard. For additional information, please contact the Campus Recreation main office at 215-204-1267. 

Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy (PRLEA) and Temple University Police Academy Cadets 

All PRLEA and Police Academy cadets have access to any Ambler Campus recreational facility during their enrollment with the program. Cadets may utilize these facilitates during open recreation hours and will be granted swipe access through their Temple OWLcard. Recreation access is not valid at any other TU campus facilities.  

Employees 

Payroll Deduction 

Full-time regular employees have the option to have the Campus Rec access fee deducted from their paychecks. A total deduction of $10 will be withdrawn from the employee’s paycheck each month. 

Employees preferring to pay their Campus Recreation access through payroll deduction will be able to enroll via the Staff Tools tab on TUportal by selecting the Campus Recreation Payroll Deduction Membership option located within the University Forms section. Swipe access will typically be granted within 48 hours of enrollment; however, users may present their enrollment form at a Campus Recreation facility for immediate access. Cancellations must be requested in person at either the Campus Recreation main office or the Student Faculty Center at the Health Sciences Campus. For more information about payroll deduction, please contact Campus Recreation at 215-204-1267. 

Patron Access 

Employees who are either ineligible for or do not wish to pay via payroll deduction may pay the Campus Rec access fee per term at the Campus Recreation main office, 1800 N. Broad St. Suite 303, Pearson and McGonigle Halls, with a valid OWLcard. 

• Term fees for employees are as follows. 

• Fall or spring: $55

• Summer I and Summer II: $30

• Annual: $120 

Within 48 hours of completing the patron application, swipe activation will be granted to the facilities. However, users may present their Campus Rec access receipt at the recreational facility for immediate access.

Alumni Recreation Access 

Alumni are defined as any graduate of Temple University. 

In order to purchase a Campus Rec alumni membership, alumni must visit the Campus Recreation main office in Pearson and McGonigle Halls, Suite 303, and present a Temple University Alumni Association Card and valid picture ID to verify alumni status.   

Please note: Temple University Alumni Association cards may be obtained from the Office of Alumni Relations in Sullivan Hall, Suite 100.   

Alumni Rates  

Recent Alumni (graduation years 1997–present) 

Fall: $100 

Annual: $220 

Spring: $100 

Summer: $35 

Regular Alumni (graduation years 1996 and older) 

Fall: $150 

Annual: $335 

Spring: $150 

Summer: $50 

Alumni Membership Dates 

Annual 2022-2023 - Expires August 4, 2023 

​Spring 2023​ - Begins January 15, 2023/Expires May 14, 2023 

​Summer 2023​ - Begins May 15, 2023/Expires August 4, 2023 ​ 

Campus Recreation accepts cash, checks and credit card for alumni membership payment. Checks must be made payable to Temple University. Checks returned for insufficient funds will be assessed an additional $25 fee. 

Please Note: Alumni are permitted access to facilities for self-directed informal recreation participation. Structured activities and programs (i.e., intramurals, group fitness, sport clubs, workout buddy, etc.) as well as guest pass privileges, are not available for alumni. 

Campus Recreation facility schedules change based on the student academic calendar. There may be abbreviated schedules during breaks and summer sessions. 

Retreats and Private Events 

If you are interested in utilizing any of our recreational spaces or programs for your group, please complete the Ambler Rental Inquiry form and a member of the campus events team will reach out with more information, including  availability and pricing.

Activities and Events

Recreational Activities

Temple University Ambler offers a variety of recreational activities for its students.

These activities are specifically designed for the Ambler Campus and include informal recreation and weekly activities held throughout the year. 

Temple Ambler has a host of traditional games and activities available for use, both for “pick up” games or facilitated. These include: Cornhole and other lawn games, basketball, volleyball and tennis.

Recreation Events and Weekly Programs

Recreation Services, the Office of Student and Campus Life and the Office of Non-Credit and Special Programs invite students to participate in health and wellness programs offered on campus. 

Learn more about upcoming one-day, weekly and ongoing programs and a variety of campus contests.

Learn more about all non-credit programs offered at Temple Ambler.

Fitness OWLcountability Pal Program 

Interested in working out in the Ambler Campus Fitness Room but not sure where to start? Do you have specific fitness goals, but need that extra external motivation to keep you on track? Temple Ambler ROW has created the OWLcountability Pal Program just for you! Complete an interest form and our staff will match you with an OWLcountability Pal to help you achieve your personal fitness goals whatever they may be.

Equipment Rental 

The Red Barn Gym offers the following equipment for use in the Gym and on the campus outdoor courts:

• Basketballs

• Pickle Ball Rackets

• Fingerless Boxing Gloves

• Tennis Balls

• Volleyballs

Temple Ambler Recreation, Outdoor Education and Wellness additionally offers several lawn games, which may be reserved for free by students.

These include:

• Corn Hole (2 sets)

• Can Jam

• Croquet (1 set)

• Freestanding Hammocks (10)

• Horseshoes

• Ladder Golf

• Portable Pickleball (2 sets)

• Spike Ball

Interested students may sign out and pick up equipment during open recreation hours. Please fill out this form to request equipment. 

Take the Survey

What sports and other recreational activities would you like to see at Temple Ambler? When would you like to play them? Share your thoughts by taking this brief online survey today.

Employment Opportunities

Become part of the Temple Ambler Recreation, Outdoor Education and Wellness team!

There are many employment opportunities with Ambler Recreations Services. Students are employed in the Red Barn Gym and the Ambler Campus Pool. Students may also learn about becoming facilitators for the challenge course and leadership/teamwork programs. 

Interested candidates should contact Steve Sassaman at 267-468-8107 or steve.sassaman@temple.edu. 

Challenge Course Facilitator

Challenge Course Facilitators will be responsible for delivering programming utilizing the low ropes facility at Temple University Ambler. This includes following established risk mitigation strategies (e.g., spotting participants) following the protocol outlined in local operating procedures. Facilitators will guide participants through a progression of teambuilding and problem-solving activities ranging from three-hour to full-day programs. A typical program will involve facilitating 8-15 participants. Will be responsible for training and monitoring participants on basic risk mitigation procedures such as spotting. Facilitators will be responsible for the continuous coaching of groups and conducting formal reflection and debriefing activities for participants.

Nature-Based Wellness Facilitator

Nature-Based Wellness Facilitators will be responsible for delivering programming utilizing the outdoor facilities at Temple University Ambler. This includes following established risk mitigation strategies (e.g., ensuring participants are adequately hydrated) following the protocol outlined in local operating procedures. Facilitators will guide participants through wellness programming utilizing experiential modalities, including horticulture and expressive arts therapy techniques. A typical program will involve facilitating 8-15 participants. Will be responsible for training and monitoring participants on basic risk mitigation procedures such as proper use of gardening tools. Facilitators will be responsible for the continuous coaching of groups and conducting formal reflection and debriefing activities for participants.

Recreation Assistant

Recreation programming assistants will be responsible for assisting with the delivery of recreation programming at the Temple Ambler Campus. This includes attending to the Red Barn Gym Fitness Room, and other recreational facilities, coordination, and oversight of intramural sports and events. Assistants will be responsible for following and directing participants in established risk mitigation strategies (e.g., ensuring participants are using fitness equipment appropriately) following the protocol outlined in local operating procedures.