Common Ground
Elkhorn, NE
Year in Showcase: 2008
Project Description
As a community center joint
venture between the City of
Elkhorn and the Elkhorn Public
Schools District, Common Ground
provides the area’s expanding
population with drop-in recreational
activities, instructional programming
and special event rental opportunities.
The major design concept for
the facility was one of “resistance,”
executed through structural
tension and compression. The stairs
emphasize the idea of resistance
while the track wraps the workout
area (compression). The central
atrium serves as the facility’s visual
hub while physically separating the
pool, gyms and workout spaces. The
pool, multiuse and childcare spaces
are located in front of the control
desk to facilitate school and other
non-member functions without
interfering with membership
activities beyond the control point.
The jogging track cantilevers out
from the main structure to optimize
track length while providing a variety
of interior and exterior views. Clear
glazing was used at sightlines and
Solera glazing was used high and low
to allow for diffused daylighting with
minimal heat gain. Mullion patterns
create the cadence of jogging along
the track.
Sharing a mixture of materials
between the school district’s high
school and the city’s library, the
building’s exterior contributes to a
sense of community. Brick masonry
color from the neighboring facilities
was integrated within precast wall
panels, while the horizontal nature
of the design further emphasizes a
connection with its surroundings.
Project Details
Architect of Record: RDG Planning & Design; Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska
Programming/Operational
Consultant: Ballard*King and Associates
Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Aquatic Design Engineer: Counsilman-Hunsaker
St. Louis, Mo.
Construction Cost: $7.1 million
Square Feet: 65,000
Occupancy: August 2005
Vendors
Basketball Backboards/Supports:
Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
Bleachers: Southern Bleacher Co.
Divider Curtains:
Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
Dryers: Huebsch
Elliptical Equipment: Precor Incorporated
Elliptical Equipment: Sportsart Fitness
Filters:
Neptune-Benson Inc.
Flooring: Dal-Tile Corp.
Flooring, Aerobics:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Flooring, Fitness Center:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Lockers:
Lyon Workspace Products
Scoreboard/Timing Systems: Colorado Time & Colorado Display Systems
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Accurate Partitions Corp.
Stair Climbers: Stairmaster Health & Fitness Products Inc.
Strength Equipment: Cybex International Inc.
Strength Equipment: Hammer Strength
Surfaces, Basketball:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Surfaces, Track:
Robbins Sports Surfaces
Swimsuit Dryer:
Extractor Corp.
Volleyball Nets and Standards:
Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
Washers: Pellerin Milnor Corp.
