COMMERCE CITY, CO — Pinkard Construction and Perkins + Will Global recently held a grand opening celebration for the new Bison Ridge Recreation Center in Commerce City.
The fourth project in the city’s voter-approved capital improvement program, Bison Ridge Recreation Center is a 108,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility at 13905 E. 112th Avenue with an indoor pool, multi-court gymnasium with an elevated walking/jogging track, a nearly 10,000-square-foot gymnastics area, weights/fitness area, dance/aerobics studio, rooftop fitness deck, a 300-person community room, and the largest collection of public art sculptures in the city.
“Residents told us what they wanted in the new recreation center and today that vision is a reality,” said Mayor Sean Ford. “With residents’ vision and support, Commerce City is now home to a state-of-the-art recreation facility that will serve our growing community for many years to come.”
The new center’s design honors the pastoral nature of the site – gabled roofs identify the key program spaces – community rooms, gymnasium, natatorium, and gymnastics studio. Pictured as a prairie gateway, the building is prominent and visible to many adjacent thoroughfares. Natural stone, wood paneling, and standing seam metal panels envelope the building, and exterior materials continue into the interior of the building, generating an openness magnified by the two-level entry lobby. The lobby includes a fireplace and causal lounge area, which has visual access to the building activity zones. The gable forms of gymnasium, natatorium and gymnastics studio are individually oriented to focus on specific views while taking advantage of natural light.
“This type of project doesn’t happen without a great team of city staff, members, and design and construction professionals,” said Delilah Collins, member of the Capital Improvements Projects Citizen Advisory Committee.
While the rec center’s original scope and budget grew by nearly 40 percent, the targeted spring opening date did not change. As CM/GC, Pinkard Construction worked in a strong teaming relationship with the owner/ architect team to find creative ways to fit the growing scope into an unbending schedule. This collaboration allowed for a timely start and an efficient construction phase, culminating with the on-time grand opening.
The new recreation center is one of five projects in Commerce City’s capital improvement program, made possible from a 2013 voter-approved, 1-percent sales and use tax for new parks, recreation and road projects.
Photos courtesy of Pinkard Construction
