Nestled within the vast wooded expanse of northern Wisconsin lies “thayék ėthë dnêkmëgzêk myéw,” the place where everybody plays. The catalyst for building a new community center was born out of great need. The Forest County Potawatomi people sought to create a space for children whose families had been impacted by drug and alcohol addiction — a place of wellness, a place of rest and a place of community.
The design team worked closely with tribal leaders to develop a facility that is both culturally significant and programmatically appropriate, weaving natural imagery into the building’s interior and exterior elements. The exterior design draws inspiration from the form of an eagle, an animal that carries special importance within the Potawatomi community, while the interior replicates the surrounding woodland with structural forms and materiality. The central spine, or eagle’s body, is a two-story gathering space that acts as a connector between the flanking gymnasium and turf fieldhouse, or eagle’s wings. Additional detailing within the space includes four pillars covered in mosaic art based on Potawatomi drawings that celebrate the 12 moons, or four seasons, and pinhole lighting that recalls stars in the night sky or embers rising from a fire.
ARCHITECT OF RECORD
Ramlow/Stein Inc.
Milwaukee, Wis.
ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT
RDG Planning & Design
Des Moines, Iowa
AQUATIC CONSULTANT/ENGINEER
Ramaker & Associates
Sauk City, Wis.
PROJECT VENDORS
Fitness Center - Flooring, Aerobics | Action Floor Systems LLC |
Laundry - Dryers | Alliance Laundry Systems |
Laundry - Washers | Alliance Laundry Systems |
Locker/Shower - Shower/Toilet Partitions | |
Locker/Shower - Saunas/Whirlpools | Badger Pool |
Fitness Center - Entertainment Systems | Camera Corner Connecting Point |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Sound Systems | Camera Corner Connecting Point |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Arena Seating | Carroll Seating |
Locker/Shower - Lockers | Columbia Lockers |
Indoor Sports Surfaces - Track | Connor Sports |
Indoor Sports Surfaces - Track | Connor Sports |
Indoor Sports Surfaces - Track | Connor Sports |
Fitness Center - Free-Weight Equipment | Direct Fitness Solutions |
Fitness Center - Strength Equipment | Direct Fitness Solutions |
Fitness Center - Flooring, Fitness Center | Direct Fitness Solutions, Precor |
Fitness Center - Climbing Walls | ElDorado Climbing Walls |
Indoor Sports Surfaces - Multipurpose | FieldTurf |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Arena Seating | Hussey Seating Company |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Basketball Backboards/Supports | Jaypro Sports |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Divider Curtains | Jaypro Sports |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Volleyball Nets and Standards | Jaypro Sports |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Wall Padding | Jaypro Sports |
| Cardio/Strength Equipment | Matrix Fitness |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Floor Covers | Moose Sports Surfaces, Ltd. |
Indoor Sports Surfaces - Multipurpose | Prostar Surfaces Inc. |
Fitness Center - Flooring, Aerobics | ProStar Surfaces Inc. |
Indoor Sports Surfaces - Basketball | Prostar Surfaces Inc. |
Indoor Sports Surfaces - Volleyball | Prostar Surfaces Inc. |
Indoor Sports Surfaces - Track | Prostar Surfaces Inc. |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Scoreboards/Timing Systems | SAN Displays (SNA Displays is in NY) |
Locker/Shower - Swimsuit Extractors | SUITMATE by Extractor Corp. |
Locker/Shower - Flooring | Tennant, Flake Eco-DFS |
Gymnasium/Field House/Arena - Lighting | Viking Electric, Elan |
Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Complex
