MAY 2009

Locker rooms have seen a lot of changes over the years. No longer is the sweaty-smelling, messy area acceptable. Today's locker rooms focus on comfort and meeting society's ever-evolving needs.

After careful consideration, we've selected the winners of our seventh annual design awards competition. We're proud to showcase those facilities here, from renovated aquatic centers to natural play areas, college and community recreation centers and more. Read on to see how these cutting-edge projects raise the bar for recreation, sports and fitness facility design across America.

Winners

Trinity River Audubon Center
Jester Park Natural Playscape
Shoreline Parks
Student Recreation &Amp; Wellness Center, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Innisfil Recreation Complex
View Ridge Swim & Tennis Club
Recreation Center, Eastern Washington University
Kress Events Center, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
The Northside Aztlan Community Center
Urban Active Fitness at Taylorsville Road

Editor's Choice Winner

Eielson Air Force Base Fitness Center

Highlights
We are also pleased to showcase the following facilities that were submitted and sponsored by the firm that entered them:

South Dakota State University Wellness Center
Claude Moore Recreation Center
Wright State University Recreation/Student Union
Villasport Athletic Club & Spa
wartburg-waverly sports & wellness center
Altoona Campus - Multiphase Expansion
Student Recreation Center, Montclair State University
Hershey Centre Sports Complex
Pinedale Aquatic Center
Chapman University, Erin J. Lastinger Athletics Complex
Erie Community Center
Payson City Aquatic Center
Washington Sports Club, Columbia Heights
Gladstone Community Center
Macalester College, Leonard Center Athletic &Amp; Wellness Complex
Kalahari Indoor Theme Park
South Davis Recreation Center

When deciding which company is best suited for a field project, many face the choice of working through a general contractor who hires subcontractors, or working directly with a field builder who handles the entire job.

Facing not-uncommon budget constraints, public park and recreation leaders might wish to consider a phased approach to creating an aquatics facility that offers some amenities sooner, with more offerings to come online later, as resources permit.

Proposed rule changes in the ADA law will impact who can swim—and where. Learn more to understand how your facility will be effected—and how ensuring accessibility is always a smart move.