The Student Recreation Center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington opened in 2000 and was almost immediately outgrown, sparking a needs assessment that resulted in a 93,000-square-foot addition, more than doubling the size of the existing SRC.
The main driver of the design was transparency. The back wall of the existing three-court gym was opened up and glass used on both levels so that from the front door, users can see all major program spaces to the MAC gym at the very back of the facility. The existing entry was maintained, and circulation was expanded to connect with the new construction and promote visibility.
The expansion allowed for the addition of several new desired amenities: a two-story fitness center offering three times the amount of existing space; an outdoor leisure pool designed in the shape of the university’s Seahawk logo; a MAC gym; and headquarters for Seahawk Adventures. The MAC gym is designed for dual-use as an events center with removable dasher boards, a separate entry, full restrooms and storage support. Other new spaces include an eight-lane, 25-yard indoor lap pool, three racquetball courts, an additional multipurpose court, a 28-foot-tall climbing wall, a fitness assessment center and locker rooms.
The SRC employs many sustainable features. Solar panels on the roof heat the leisure pool, while skylights provide abundant natural light. Water-efficient landscaping was specified, and locally available materials were used when possible.
PNC Field Renovation
