City of St. Joseph, Recreation Center

The City of St. Joseph, Missouri, desired a larger recreation, fitness and community center facility to allow it to expand its program offerings, increase membership and host youth basketball and volleyball tournaments. Working with the City, facility staff, and community, we designed a flexible facility that included everything from a children’s exercise room, three gymnasiums, community cardio and fitness room, administrative spaces, conference rooms, nine-tenths of a mile walking track, community room, nutrition bar and locker room facilities.

The facility’s final design locates the cardio and strength space towards a main intersection of the City to showcase the it’s activity and promote the City’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle. The building’s orientation and the strategic use of glazing allows many of the spaces to receive natural light while providing users views of the Parkway. The floor plan design includes visual control of the gymnasiums, cardio strength training space and children’s care room from the main control desk.