Matching articles for Fitness: 167
Before You Go - July 2012
For a second year in a row, Minneapolis-St. Paul ranks as the fittest metropolitan area in the country.
Feature Article - June 2012
More than 2,000 professionals responded to our call for information about their facility operations. Here, we summarize their responses, including current trends in operations, staffing, programming, construction and much more.
This section summarizes the survey results from health, fitness and sports clubs, including new trends in programming and a positive outlook on membership numbers.
Award Winner - May 2012
The new student-centered building is a hub for campus activity and has revitalized the existing McCormick Hall, which was opened in 1925 and remodeled in 1961. Administrative, educational and instructional spaces were added in a new west addition to the building, which extends west toward Main Street, with portions spanning University Drive. The building provides multiple large recreation and academic venues to support existing and new programs.
Siting of such a large building—nearly 57,000 square feet—between the park and residential neighborhoods required finesse, as well as an understanding of vehicular and pedestrian patterns. The parking is located adjacent to Martin Luther King Boulevard, one of Denver's larger arterial roads and the main access point to downtown. This allows the remaining site to be more natural and pedestrian friendly. The building footprint is situated to allow the adjacent pocket park to extend across the entry plaza at the upper level. The orientation is rotated slightly north of west to allow spaces to capture western views without direct west solar gain.
The exterior glass wall showcases user activity with transparent views into the facility, while providing picturesque views out to campus. Taking advantage of these views, the strength and cardio fitness spaces include an upper-level 1/9-mile jogging track overlooking the main cardio equipment space. The track unifies both levels of the open plan with its additional overlooks into the main entry lobby and student lounge.
A lot of new spaces were added, including a climbing wall and bouldering area, an outdoor bouldering rock, martial arts space, special needs spaces (gender-inclusive restrooms and changing rooms), new meeting spaces, a private changing room in the women's locker room, exercise studios, MAC gym and more. A complete success, the facility has seen a 30 percent increase in usage since it was reopened.
The renovation has completely remade the facility, with an exterior design that provides a new identity and visibility, with an aesthetic that remains compatible with the existing buildings on the civic campus. Primary exterior materials are consistent with the existing structures. However, in contrast to the level rooflines predominant on the existing buildings, sloped roof forms are introduced over the main entry, the new fitness space and the aquatics expansion.
Prior to completion of this nearly-57,000-square-foot center, students relied on the university's Dakota Dome, but this space was no longer able to meet the needs of both student-athletes and general students. Students and the university wanted an exclusive space to support health and wellness, and to strengthen the sense of community among students, as well as between students and faculty beyond the classroom walls.
The new facility came to be after thorough research in Grand Prairie determined that existing facilities in the area needed better opportunities in aquatics and dry land recreation. So, an aquatics center—that includes an adventure river and diving tower—was built; as well as a fieldhouse, running track and fitness/wellness area—catering to the needs of both the public and those interested in competitive athletics.
