Bates College

Bates Athletics offers a variety of inclusive recreation programs and services promoting the well-being of the Bates community. Primarily these offerings consist of open recreation activities, group fitness classes, intramural sports, club sports, and special events. These activities and programs take place in Merrill Gymnasium, Underhill Arena, Alumni Gymnasium, Gray Cage, and at the various outdoor facilities on Bates Campus.

 


      






For more information on the hours of operation including during College breaks and for facilities not listed, view the Athletic Facilities Annual Hours of Operation Calendar 2025-2026.
 

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ACCESSING THE ATHLETIC FACILITIES
Athletic facilities are open to current Bates Community Members (Faculty, Staff, and Students) and affiliates (retirees and spouses/partners of current employees). A valid Bates ID must be scanned upon entry. The sharing of Bates College ID Cards is not permitted. 

• Bates Community Members and affiliates may access the indoor and outdoor athletic facilities during posted facility hours of operation. 
• Dependent children of Bates Community Members and spouses/partners of retirees will not be issued an ID card.  These individuals may access the Athletic Facilities as a guest accompanied by a Bates Community Member. 
• Alumni will not be issued a Bates ID card and in general do not have access to indoor Athletic facilities. 
• Bates Community Members may bring one guest per visit to the Athletic facilities. Retirees are not permitted to bring guests to the Athletic facilities. 
• In all Athletic facilities, anyone under the age of 18* (who are not currently enrolled Bates Students)  must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who is a Bates Community Member (faculty, staff, student) at all times. Children must be at least 15 years of age to use the Fitness Center.

EQUIPMENT CHECKOUT
Facility users may check-out a variety of sport, recreation, and fitness equipment as well as day-use locks while using the facilities. Equipment can be checked out at each building's Welcome Desk free of charge. A valid Bates ID is required.

    Available Equipment

• Basketballs
• Volleyballs
• Footballs
• Soccer Balls
• Futsal Balls
• Tennis Rackets with balls
• Badminton Rackets with a birdie
• Pickle Ball Paddles with a ball
• Day-use locks
• Frisbee
• Disc Golf

    EQUIPMENT CHECKOUT GUIDELINES

• Equipment is for day use only. All equipment must be returned by closing the same day it is checked out. 
• Equipment should not be abandoned in the facility or passed off to another user. 
• Locks are for day use only and are not to be left on lockers overnight. Both the lock and key must be returned. Locker rentals for Merrill Gym Pool Locker Rooms are available. Please see the Equipment Manager. 
• Equipment that is checked out must be returned by the end of the day. Equipment that is not returned or returned damaged will result in a charge to the individual's account for the expense of the item.

GUEST POLICY
Bates Community Members (Faculty, Staff, Students) may bring 1 guest per person per visit to Athletic facilities. 

• Affiliates, Retirees, and other special access individuals are NOT permitted to bring guests. 
• Visitors and guests should refer to the College’s Visitors to Campus guidelines for more information related to access.
• The sponsoring student or employee must check in with the guest at the Merrill Gym Welcome Desk upon arrival for each visit. 
• A guest or guardian (if guest under 18) must complete a Guest Waiver at first visit annually before they are permitted to use the facilities. Guests must sign in at the Merrill Welcome Desk for each subsequent visit. 
• Guests must be accompanied by the sponsoring student or employee at all times while using the facilities.
• Guests may access all of the Athletics Facilities but are NOT permitted to take part in any programming including the B-Well fitness classes.
• In all Athletic facilities, anyone under the age of 18* (who are not currently enrolled Bates Students)  must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who is a Bates Community Member (faculty, staff, student) at all times. Children must be at least 15 years of age to use the Fitness Center. 

FACILITY USAGE GUIDELINES & PROCEDURES
The following usage guidelines and procedures are in effect within Athletics facilities to maintain the health and safety of all members and guests and to preserve the quality of programs, facilities and equipment.

• Athletic facilities are open to current Bates Community Members (Faculty, Staff, and Students) and affiliates (retirees and spouses/partners of current employees).
  • A valid Bates ID must be scanned upon entry. Exceptions include those participants enrolled in Bates College-sponsored programs (i.e. camps and clinics).
  • The sharing of Bates College ID Cards is not permitted. The ID card will be confiscated and the individual will be asked to leave the facility.
• All policies in the Bates College Code of Student Conduct are in effect.
• Any use of or modification of equipment other than its intended purpose is not permitted.
• Appropriate and non-damaging attire is requested at all times.
• Headphones/earphones are required when using portable electronic devices. The use of stereos, speakers, or other devices to project personal music is not permitted.
• Participants acting in a way that can create an unsafe environment or cause damage to the facility, themselves or others may be asked to discontinue the unsafe activity or be dismissed from the facility.
• Cell phones should only be used in common areas of the facility such as lobbies and hallways. Cell phone usage in locker rooms is strictly prohibited.
• Patrons should return equipment and accessories after use.
• Private training is only permitted by authorized employees.
• Personal belongings should be secured in lockers. Athletics is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
• Posting of signs, fliers, posters and other announcements without permission is not permitted.
• Anyone wishing to take pictures or film must obtain approval from the Athletics staff.
• The following items are not permitted within Athletics facilities:
  • Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, e-cigs, and tobacco products.
  • FOOD AND BEVERAGE: All food products including gum. All drinks must be in a non-glass, non-spillable bottle.
  • FOOTWEAR: Cleats, except on indoor track
  • EQUIPMENT: Skateboards, roller blades, bicycles, scooters, and other wheeled apparatuses
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Open flames/candles

Report all emergencies, maintenance issues, vandalism, or misuse of facilities to an Athletics employee or by calling 207-786-6366.
 
Failure to follow or adhere to the above guidelines and procedures and/or the direction of Athletics employees may result in loss of usage privileges. 














 

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