Facility Friday: New Colorado Rec Center, Ground Blessing and More

Aurora, Colo., unveiled its new Populous-designed Central Recreation Center this month. The $34 million, 61,250-square-foot project offers a number of first-of-their-kind amenities, including an interactive waterslide that allows users to experience different themes through video. Additional features include a gym, a natatorium, two fitness studios, a fitness grandstand, an indoor track, community meeting rooms, outdoor fitness and flexible space and an escape room. — PopulousCentral Recreation Center in Aurora, Colo. [Photo credit: Conor Culver]

The University of Wyoming has reportedly asked the state for $50 million to fund renovations to the school’s War Memorial Stadium and Corbett Pool. Though the projects aren’t linked, trustees are hopeful that coupling the renovations could help spur legislators to fund both projects. If approved, the renovations would include seating improvements to the west side of the football stadium, including premium seating. — Casper Star Tribune

A ground blessing ceremony was held this week in honor of the Forest County Potawatomi Community Center in Crandon, Wis. The $46.7 million, 108,000 square-foot project designed by Uihlein/Wilson Ramlow/Stein Architects Inc. and RDG Planning & Design, will begin feature a 20,000-sqaure-foot gymnasium, a 20,000-square-foot synthetic turf fieldhouse, an elevated track, an 8,000-square-foot hybrid pool, a fitness space, a climbing wall and two multipurpose rooms. The project, slated to begin construction in June, is expected to be ready for occupancy by June 2021. — RDG Planning and DesignForest County Potawatomi Community Center [Rendering courtesy RDG Planning & Design]

Vanderbilt University athletic director Malcom Turner announced a number of forthcoming facility enhancements in a letter he authored on the school's athletics website. Among them are upgrades to Memorial Gymnasium, which will include new lighting and sound systems and possibly a renovation to locker rooms. Additionally, Turner wrote about upgrading Vanderbilt Stadium with new videoboard technology and bathroom renovations. Turner said that the athletic department is nearing selecting a partner firm to conduct and craft a new facilities master plan, which will assess the department's facilities. — vucommodores.com

The University of Virginia announced that it had received a $5 million gift, $4 million of which will support its Athletics Master Plan and $1 million will go toward a new Student Health & Wellness Center. The Master Plan calls for a football operations center, an olympic sports center, three natural grass practice fields and a renovated McCue Center. — VirginiaSports.com

UVA Announces $5 Million Gift for Athletics Master Plan and the new Student Health & Wellness Center
https://t.co/LPmhialwLC#GoHoos #HoosMasterPlan pic.twitter.com/FhbeBqhh0v

— Virginia Cavaliers (@VirginiaSports) May 30, 2019