Nowell Park Recreation Center

Designing to Deliver on a Community Referendum

Joliet, Illinois

Our team assisted the Joliet Park District in fulfilling a November 2014 referendum to construct a new east-side community recreation center.

Our design team selected a pre-engineered building system to provide a cost-effective solution.

Translucent wall panels were used to provide diffused natural light into the public spaces.

The space provides ample viewing areas, restrooms, and multipurpose spaces adjacent to the control desk at the entrance.

The north facing floor-to-ceiling windows in the fitness center, multipurpose rooms, and preschool room provide a view of Mill Creek and the surrounding park.

One of the key wellness components is a spacious 3,500-square-foot fitness center that includes restrooms and lockers.

The preschool room includes children’s storage cubbies, a storage room, a sink with base and wall cabinets, and restroom.

The fieldhouse incorporates a suspended batting cage and divider curtains along with the ability to add another basketball/volleyball court in the future.

A new recreation center for the under-served east side of the Joliet, Illinois, community had been a dream for a long time. Our team designed a 30,677-square-foot facility, including a 3,500-square-foot fitness center with restrooms and lockers, a preschool room, and a two-court basketball/volleyball fieldhouse with a two-lane walking/jogging track.

2

basketball/volleyball courts

2

lane walking/jogging track

3,500

square-foot fitness center

4

multipurpose rooms

The design team had to overcome a number of challenges to meet project deadlines and budgetary constraints, including an executive director leadership change and the need for archaeological and historical review with the Illinois Historical Preservation Agency in order to demolish a 1920s bathhouse on the site. Additionally, our team had to navigate soil testing for bedrock, utility line extensions for water and sanitary connections, and a traffic study since the park is adjacent to a state road. We also provided a floodplain report to FEMA since the site is adjacent to Mill Creek.

A pre-engineered building system was selected to provide a cost-effective solution. Benefits included:

The high R-value of the metal wall and roof panels along with airtightness and superior moisture control provided a quality building envelope
Reduced construction time since the erection time is faster
Large clear spans
Flexibility of expansion
High-quality control since the building components are manufactured in a factory under controlled conditions
Single-source responsibility for all building components and accessories

Our site improvements also included an 82-car parking area and stormwater retention basins.

Our services included architecture; interior design; landscape architecture; structural; mechanical, electrical, plumbing; fire protection; security and technology.

Client

Joliet Park District, Joliet, IL

Square Footage

30,677 SF

Cost

$8.2 million

Services

Architecture
Engineering

Markets

Community Facilities
Health and Wellness

Regions

Midwest