Mitch Park YMCA

Edmond, OK
Construction Cost: $22.6 million
Area / Square Feet: 105,000 sf
Occupancy Date: February 2014

Representing a three-way partnership between the City of Edmond, Edmond Independent School District and the Greater Oklahoma City YMCA, Mitch Park YMCA fills many important civic needs while staying within a surprisingly low cost-per-square-foot budget.

The exterior of brick and glass, with darker-hued masonry and metal accents, projects a bold new image within its park setting, while courses of random-sized cut stone at the base match materials found on the senior center next door. Inside, low-cost, low-maintenance and durable materials include stained concrete floors in all main circulation areas and painted block walls, but accents of artificial wood panels bring warmth to the lobby, and spot color is introduced to dramatic effect.

The highly functional plan reduces the apparent scale of the very large building, allowing ease of orientation from all facility areas. Throughout, the designers successfully integrated the needs of the different owners, creating spaces that depart from the norm for this building type. Examples include large social spaces that give the Y a private-club feel, as well as the inclusion of a generous family changing area with a large number of private rooms that takes the place of a more typical youth locker space. The result has been spectacular — the facility boasts 18,000 members, nearly doubling the projected membership.