Facility owners, operators and architects share the responsibility for designing facilities that offer visitors not only a rewarding experience but a safe environment. For example, the reception desk at the North Idaho College Student Wellness & Fitness Center (shown in photo to the left) is located just inside the entry. It is configured to provide…
Category: Fitness Center
The Evolution of Campus Recreation Centers
Historically campus recreation centers were primarily frequented by athletes and exercise enthusiasts. Today, colleges and universities are expanding their offerings to accommodate a larger demographic with a broad array of fitness needs. This article from Athletic Business (Brett Klika, CSCS & Founder of SPIDERfit Kids in conjunction with the American Council on Exercise) explores how creative…
Doing The Next Best Thing
When constructing a brand new recreation facility isn’t an option, what’s the next best thing to do? While some clients are fortunate enough to secure funding for a new building, others must face into the likelihood that they will need to make modifications to an existing facility to meet current needs. Such was the case…
The Challenge
The opportunity to design a new collegiate recreation center is always exciting. When a college or university decides to renovate or expand an existing facility, a unique set of challenges must be considered and addressed. In a recent expansion to Gonzaga University’s athletics complex, ALSC Architects was challenged with keeping the adjacent McCarthey Athletic Center…
Collegiate Recreation Centers: A Place to Call Home
Not Your Parents Intramurals By Kathy Russell, ALSC Architects Not long ago, college recreation programs consisted of intramural sports run by student organizations or teachers in the physical education department. These programs were often housed in a student union building or in the corner of an athletics building. Today colleges and universities are building recreation…
How to spatially lay out complex Athletic Facilites*
*hint: it involves circles By Robin Pecka, ASID – Interior Designer, ALSC Architects Athletic or Fitness Facilities are often large and contain multiple functions and programs under one roof. These programs must be spatially organized to work together for the most efficient use and safety of facility users and staff. The task of figuring out…
Addressing the Need for Privacy & Security in Locker Room Design
The need for privacy and security in locker room design is of paramount importance, whether for K-12 schools, colleges and universities, private clubs or public recreation facilities. Today’s concerns address much broader issues beyond determining the age at which a son should no longer accompany his mother into a women’s locker room. This article from Athletic Business explores six…
Making The Most of Facility Site Visits
There is nothing better than seeing with your own eyes how a facility operates and “flows”, how the occupants truly use the building and site , and what the volume of space feels like as you navigate through it. What are the finishes and materials in the building and how are they holding up? In…
Recreation & Fitness Centers Help Woo Students
In November’s ALSC Fitness Bits we explored how collegiate locker rooms can be designed as a way to gain an advantage in securing recruits. In much the same way, state-of-the-art recreation and fitness centers can influence where students decide to attend college. North Idaho College Student Wellness & Fitness Center (ALSC Architects) The new North Idaho…
Make Your Aquatic Center Safe (and Fun!) from the Ground Up
Pool safety starts long before the aquatic facility is actually built or before a lifeguard steps onto the pool deck. Facility planning and design is the first place to start making decisions that will affect the safety and welfare of all the patrons, users and facility staff. In this article by Jessica Royer Ocken in…
Pool Safety By Design
Heading to the pool is usually an exciting time for kids and families seeking fun and adventure. For others, pools offer unique exercise and therapeutic value. While the design of aquatics facilities maximizes the opportunities for excitement, fitness and healing, it must also take into account numerous measures to ensure the safety of those in…
Child Watch in Fitness Facilities – A Perk for Parents and Owners
By Robin Pecka, ALSC Architects Health and fitness are of utmost importance – we’ve established this. So is the safety and well-being of our children; probably even more so for parents/caretakers that have reservations working out at certain fitness facilities because they are a little leery of the environment where they are dropping off their…
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