This renovation of The Maverick Center was intended to create a campus landmark that relates to the natural landscape while serving the Western Slope community. A valuable asset in the recruitment of students, the center now creates a north anchor to the campus and has effectively integrated related departments — including athletics, nursing and kinesiology — that were traditionally separated physically.
The new natatorium provides fixed seating for 750 with views to the surrounding mountain ranges. The barrel vault of the natatorium was designed to control noise without distracting lapidary panels hanging from the ceiling. The decking is a specially coated acoustic structural metal surface that spans the entire 36 feet between trusses. The running track extends out through adjoining spaces, including the expanded fitness area, giving runners the option to stay on the 11-laps-per-mile loop or choose the five-laps-per-mile loop.
The 26,000-square-foot fitness center features a variety of strength training and cardio equipment, much of which routes power back to the grid. (A 30-minute workout can produce enough electricity to power a laptop computer for an hour.) Aside from being a biomechanics and sport research facility, the human performance lab also can be set up as a lecture-ready classroom.