Trail Winds Recreation Center

Thornton, CO
Construction Cost: $45 million
Area / Square Feet: 18,000 (pool only)
Occupancy Date: November 2019

Trail Winds Recreation Center is an 87,000-square-foot recreation facility developed out of conversations with the community. It was uncovered that the building needed to feel playful and colorful but also durable. These ideas were incorporated into the appearance and feel of the building.

A theme of framing views, active elements and access points emerged as the design developed. As visitors interact with different features of the center, they will see colorful frames highlighting different activities throughout the building. On the interior, entries and views into the gymnasium, natatorium and social wing are all highlighted with colorful borders or frames. These frames not only connect spaces visually but also provide clues to the visitor that there is something important to see or visit.

One of the unique challenges at Trail Winds was the city’s request to have underground access to all pool plumbing. The solution involved creating a basement full of concrete tunnels to see if there are leaks in the pool areas. This project also used a stainless-steel gutter system that allows for fewer deck drains on the pool deck. Designers also created an option for the gutters to be hooked up to an air evacuation system to keep the smell of the chemicals in the pool to a minimum.