Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

Rec and roll 🤘

Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center opens in Madison, WI

Bakke offers far more than just sporting facilities. | Photo by 608today

The $113.2 million Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center is officially open. This building is one of four projects included in UW-Madison’s Master Plan to re-up the campus’ recreational facilities. The plan — which was put into motion in 2014 — also includes the Near West Fields, the Nicholas Recreation Center, and the Near East Fields.

Located at 1976 Observatory Dr., the new facility is built where the UW Natatorium once stood. While the Bakke Center does not have a competition pool and diving well, it does have a 25-yard recreational pool, nearly triple the fitness space, and air conditioning.

✨ Features

In addition to 29,000 sqft of fitness space, the recreation center offers:

Massage therapy
Personal trainer exam prep course
NASPA-certified wellness coaching
Ice arena
Climbing/bouldering wall
Sports simulators
Self-defense classes
Teaching kitchen

teaching kitchen — Wellbeing services include the Wolf Teaching kitchen. | Photo by UW Madison Admissions

🎟️ Memberships

This UW facility is not just for students. Community members and campus affiliates are welcome to get in on the action as well.

Students | Included in tuition

Campus affiliates | UW-Madison faculty, staff, retirees, and emeriti

Day pass: $15
Week pass: $30
Monthly, recurring: $45/month

UW-Madison alumni | UW-Madison graduates with proof of graduation

Day pass: $15
Week pass: $30
Monthly, recurring: $45/month

Household youth | Dependents (younger than 18 years old) of Rec Well members or current UW students

Semester pass: $40
Weekend pass: $10

Community | Adults in the greater Madison community with no affiliation to campus

Day pass: $15
Week pass: $40
Monthly, recurring: $60/month

Events

Wednesday, April 26

Q-Cinema | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 7-9 p.m. | OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, 2701 International Ln., Madison | Free | Catch a free screening of “Jump, Darling” starring Thomas Duplessie and Cloris Leachman.
Madison’s Funniest Comic Competition | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | $10 | 12 Comedians who have advanced from round one will be performing for a chance to be named Madison’s Funniest Comic.

Thursday, April 27

Trivia Night | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 7-9 p.m. | Madison’s, 119 King St., Madison | Free | Buzz into this general knowledge trivia game with gift cards for winners.
The String Cheese Incident | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 7 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $64.50 | This quintessential jam band effortlessly traverses genres and styles to create a truly sweeping live experience.

Friday, April 28

Sabrina Carpenter: emails i can’t send Tour | Friday, Apr. 28 | 8 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $125+ | Catch the pop star on the Madison leg of her international tour.

Saturday, April 29

WI Alpaca and Fiber Fest | Saturday, Apr. 29-Sunday, Apr. 30 | Saturday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Alliant Energy Center | Free | The public is welcome to bear witness to over 300 alpacas, fiber arts contests + classes, and seminars for those interested in learning more about the creatures.
Earth Day Every Day: EV Car Show and Sustainability Fair | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Middleton Community Church, 645 Schewe Rd., Middleton | Free | Electric and hybrid cars, games, crafts, and a bounce house.
Forward Madison vs. Charlotte Independence | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 5 p.m. | Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St., Madison | $19-$43 | The force is strong in Madison this week — don’t forget to grab your pink light saber at the game on Saturday night.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Health

🧬 Does your DNA contain genetic variants? The All of Us Research Program may have the answers.

Participating in the research program could help the next generation. | Photo provided by All of Us Research Program

Did you know? Genetic variants, or differences in your DNA, can be hereditary — and some can even affect your health. One example: TPM1, a gene associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a common heart condition in which the heart muscle grows thicker over time.

When you participate, All of Us can provide a report about your hereditary disease risk, which includes checking their DNA for genes like TPM1. See the full list of genes, and sign up to participate.*

Become a program participant

News Notes

Sports

It looks like the Jordan Love era starts now. The Packers have reportedly traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. The two teams also swapped multiple draft picks. Rodgers spent 18 seasons in the green and gold, winning four MVP awards and bringing a Super Bowl title to the Cheeseheads. (ESPN)

Civic

Get to know the 2023-2025 cohort of alders representing Madison’s 20 districts. The eight newly elected alders and 12 re-elected alders were sworn into the Madison Common Council last week.

History

Plans are underway to add a statue of Vel Phillips — the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Wisconsin — to the state Capitol grounds. This would be among a limited number of statues in the country that honor women from American history. (WPR)

Community

The Wisconsin Air National Guard received its first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet yesterday. It’s the first of 20 state-of-the-art aircrafts to be housed at Madison’s Truax Field, with the full complement expected to arrive by next year. (NBC 15)
Madison Public Library is observing National Library Week. The theme, “There’s More to the Story,” showcases ways people can connect with the library and community. Locals are invited to share why they love the library on social media using #MyLibraryIs and tagging @MadisonPublicLibrary.

Arts

Shalicia Johnson of ArrowStar Photography in Monona was one of 15 portrait photographers selected to showcase her artwork at The Pharmacy Gallery Art Space in Springfield, IL. Her work was chosen from a pool of over 200 submissions from US and Canadian photographers.

Closing

Bye-bye, Buy Buy Baby and Bed Bath & Beyond. The retailer announced it’s filed for bankruptcy, meaning it will begin liquidating assets and closing storefronts in the coming months. Today is the last day to use your coupons. (CBS News)

Health

Ever wished a medical professional could answer your questions about strained or tweaked muscles, proper cooldown techniques, and whether physical therapy might actually help your injury? Good news: We’re tapping in a Sports Medicine Physician from SSM Health to answer your questions. Ask yours here.*

Announced

Congratulations Nora R., the winner of our product survey! We hope you enjoy your $500 cash prize, and we thank you for providing your feedback. Responses from this survey are helping us improve our newsletter.

Wellness

This metabolism supplement is endorsed by Halle Berry and backed by science

Metabolic Daily is formulated with Akkermansia muciniphila (only available at Pendulum) and other next generation strains. | Photo by Sean Dagen

Our metabolism slows as we age — so who wouldn’t want to optimize theirs (and maybe feel 22 again)?

Meet Metabolic Daily, a multi-strain probiotic designed to kick-start your metabolism, maintain blood sugar levels, support a healthy weight, and reduce sugar cravings and energy slumps. Think: Balanced, sustained energy throughout the day. (Actress Halle Berry digs it so much she became the CCO.)

Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month of any membership.*

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

I’ll be at this weekend’s Forward Madison FC game, but I didn’t realize it was Star Wars night when I planned my excursion. While I like to think I know my way around a soccer field, I am completely out of the Star Wars loop and often confuse it with Star Trek. May the force be with the Mingos, and here’s hoping they live long and prosper against Charlotte Independence.

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