Niles-Buchanan YMCA

Niles, MI
Construction Cost: $8.1 million
Area / Square Feet: 55,749
Occupancy Date: December 2006

Among the amenities in this facility, located adjacent to Riverfront Park in Michigan?s oldest city, is a 5,000-square-foot fitness center; a high school-size gymnasium with an elevated running track; a natatorium with a six-lane, 25-yard competition pool and a warm-water therapy/instructional pool; an aerobics/dance studio; locker and family changing rooms; a child-care center; preschool and meeting rooms; and administrative offices. A regional rehabilitation wellness center also occupies 5,000 square feet of space.

The YMCA recalls the city?s historic railroad past with a contemporary adaptation of a turn-of-the-century train station. A large, arched window mimics the form of an adjacent stone railroad bridge while providing dynamic views of the St. Joseph River from the fitness center and track. The YMCA and rehabilitation center share the therapeutic and Olympicsize pools, as well as other spaces — allowing users to make the natural transition from rehab patients to active YMCA members.

Energy efficiency is maintained through a computer-based building management system that allows the facility to schedule control of HVAC and lighting usage. The pools are maintained with an energy-reclaim system in which the pool uses waste heat to heat the pool water.