The Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex closed at 1 p.m. Tuesday because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will remain closed through March 27 or until further notice, according to an email announcement by Phil Esten, vice president and director of athletics.

Signs on the AARC doors, however, said the closure would last until March 29.

Esten said the decision follows Gov. Tim Walz’s order on Monday to close fitness centers, recreation centers, and indoor sports and exercise facilities, starting March 17.

“We realize this is disappointing news to those of you remaining on campus, but it is important that we comply with Gov. Walz’s direction and do what we can to protect our community’s health,” Esten wrote in an email Tuesday.

Tommie Sports announced that student athletes needing access to the locker rooms to clear out their lockers should contact their head coaches to arrange a time to access the building. Athletes needing to see a sports trainer should contact those trainers directly.

Senior Kathryn Breuckman, a cross country and track and field athlete and a lifeguard at the AARC, said the announcement came as a disappointment to her.

“The AARC is a facility I used daily,” Breuckman said. “Having it close is really hard because it was such a constant over these past four years.”

The AARC closure comes after the university announced March 16 that all classes are online for the rest of the spring 2020 semester and encouraged students to move off campus as soon as possible.

“I feel like I’m cheated out of some of the college experience,” said sophomore Nick Sluga, a cross country and track and field athlete. “I didn’t sign up for online classes.”

The Monday announcement indicated certain university buildings would be closed, but none were specifically listed.

Justin Amaker, Abby Sliva, Burke Spizale and Joey Swanson contributed to this report.