OVERVIEW
 Since the day it opened in August of 2005, the FIU Rec Center has been a huge success with students, faculty & staff. So successful in fact, that some people get discouraged and/or inconvenienced because of the crowds and lack of available equipment. To address these needs, in Nov. 2009, the University directed RDG Planning & Design to prepare a strategy for expansion, one that took into account the current and future needs of the institution.
OBJECTIVES
- Prepare a list of the spaces and their sizes needed in the future.
- Create a concept that maintained visual transparency of the building exterior and openness inside.
- Consider the impact of building expansion on the buildings use as a hurricane shelter.
- Prepare a phased implementation plan that allows funding with CITF (Capital Improvement Trust Fund) dollars.
- Prepare exhibits (site plan, floor plan, and massing images) to convey the proposed expansion.
RECOMMENDATIONS
When the existing space is compared to other peer institutions, it is evident that the institution is behind in total indoor square footage for recreation, in area dedicated to cardio equipment, and other important activity spaces. It was recommended that the existing building be expanded in two phases.
Phase 1 would include:
- Increased cardio equipment and weights space
- Larger locker rooms
- Two racquetball courts
- One more group fitness space
- More gymnasium space (2 courts) with spectator seating and openness
- Convert existing gym into a MAC (multi-purpose activity court)
- Elevated jogging track
- Student lounge and games room
- Fitness assessment room
- Increased support areas for office, storage, and laundry.
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Phase 2 would include:
- Increased cardio equipment and weights space
- One additional gymnasium court with spectator seating and openness
- One group fitness room
- One spinning room
- An extension of the jogging track
- Rock climbing wall
- An outdoor leisure pool
- An outdoor activity/lap pool
- Additional food opportunity to serve pool deck and south lobby
- Additional locker rooms
- Support space for offices and storage.
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Phase 2 expansion would also include the addition of a south entrance/control desk to maximize convenience for all who will be living or parking to the southeast of the building. The campus master plan shows a north/south pedestrian plaza being developed as part of the expanded residence halls. This walkway would extend past the east side of the proposed Recreation Center expansion.
Phases 1 and 2 will both maximize the amount of glass to the south, east, and west. This transparency should also be carried into the phase two gymnasium space. The incorporation of a south roof overhang and using the jogging track as a light shelf will minimize any potential glare on the south facing gymnasium windows.
The jogging track would be pushed to the exterior of the building and incorporate significant amounts of glass to maximize it's visibility from the exterior. This element should also be extended around the climbing wall and the south lobby to lengthen the jog and also add dynamics to the lobby. The outdoor pool will become the focal point on the south side of the building. Locating cardio equipment, jogging track, lounge space, and food areas so they can have views of this outdoor area will be important.
The interior of the expanded facility will maintain the openness present in the existing building. The two story building will include vertical openings that will be either glass enclosed at the second level of completely open if allowed by code. The new gymnasium spaces will be visually open to the corridors. This openness will be achieved by using glass or by totally eliminating walls between the spaces. The spectator seating will consist of two rows of elevated risers along the end of each court. This is ideal space for spectators, for the next teams to gather, and for setting items off the floor.
Projected project costs: Phase 1: $16,100,000; Phase 2: $14,400,000. There is currently no official date of funding, nor has any date been set to begin the project.
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