The Big Picture: Illini Union Rec Room
Brow furrowed and lip tucked, a student aims for a strike at the 14-lane bowling alley in the Illini Union Rec Room. The lanes date back to the opening of the Union on Feb. 5, 1941, and proved so popular that they required renovation. Located in the Union basement, the Rec Room endures as a favorite spot for students to congregate and unwind. As well as bowling, the facility offers interactive video and arcade games and a 12-table billiards room, with an open performance space, dining options and study carrels adjacent.