Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center
Las Cruces, N.M.
Year in Showcase: 2012
Project Description
The Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center is the largest indoor public recreation facility in the Las Cruces region. Until it opened, public access to swimming was limited to seasonal outdoor pools and an aging fabric-enclosed lap pool. Envisioned as a regional amenity built in phases, the aquatic center is designed to expand and evolve based on recreation and wellness needs.
The 35,000-square-foot first phase includes the overall building core, a lobby, a leisure pool, a therapy pool, lockers and the shell for a fitness center. The next phases will consist of fitness center finishes, a gymnasium, community meeting rooms, a childcare facility and a competitive lap pool.
The exterior design employs many traditional regional techniques to protect the interior from the heat and glare of the desert sun. Deep recesses and roof overhangs, generous window shading, unpainted galvanized metal finishes and textured stucco afford the building a rugged, durable and solid presence familiar to the arid environment. Like a geode, rugged and protective on the exterior yet lined with sparkling mineral crystals inside, the building transforms at night to reveal an open, transparent space bursting with color and activity.
Project Details
Associate Architect: Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture; Denver, Colo.
Architect of Record: Steve Newby Architects and Associates Inc.; Las Cruces, N.M.
Aquatic Design Engineer: Water Technology Inc.; Beaver Dam, Wis.
Construction Cost: $11 million
Square Feet: 35,000
Occupancy: October 2010
Vendors
Filtration Systems: Neptune-Benson Inc.
Flooring: Dal-Tile Corp.
Flooring/Entrance Mats: Schluter Systems
Lighting: Ametrix
Lighting: Camman Industries
Lighting: Cooper Lighting
Lighting: Corelite
Lighting: Spi Lighting
Locker/Shower - Toilet Accessories: Bobrick Washroom Equipment Inc.
Lockers: Bradley Corp.
Pools - Waterslides:
WhiteWater West Industries Inc.
Shower/Toilet Partitions: Bradley Corp.
Water Play Features: Vortex Aquatic Structures Int'l Inc.
